An Independent Air Force and the Cold War

1
An Independent Air Force and the Cold War
2
Introduction

• On September 18, 1947 the National Security Act
  of 1947 was enacted, designating the former Army
  Air Corps as an independent branch of the US
  Armed Forces. This new Air Force was headed by
  Secretary of the Air Force Stuart Symington and
  days later, the first Chief of Staff of the Air
  Force,
• General Carl Spaatz.

3
Overview

• 1. Video Clip
• - Beyond the Wild Blue Series
• 2. Informal Lecture
• - The National Security Act of 1947
• - Technological advancement
• - US/Soviet Cold War
• - Contributing Factors

4
Introduction

• September 18, 1947 National Security Act of 1947
  enacted
• Designated former Army Air Corps as an
  independent branch of the US Armed Forces
• First SECAF Stuart Symington
• First Chief of Staff of the AF General Carl
  Spaatz

5
The National Security Act of 1947

• What was the National Security Act?

• established an independent Air Force
• coequal and separate from the Army and Navy
• nonetheless, USN and USMC preserved their air
  arms

Was it necessary?

• yes, to provide for an independent AF
• yes, to essentially organize American defense
  forces
• yes, to more clearly define each services roles

6
The New Independent Air Force

• Did the new Air Force acquire new roles /missions?

• yes, three collateral roles
• interdicting enemy sea power
• conducting anti-submarine warfare
• engaging in aerial mine-laying

What were its traditional missions of the time?

• reconnaissance
• counterair
• countersea
• counterland

• airlift
• strategic attack
• search and rescue (SAR)
• special operations

7
Technological Advances

• What technological advances were underway?

• advent of the jet engine
• pressurized cockpits

• nuclear bomb loads
• nuclear missiles

How might these have affected our capabilities,
doctrine, and missions?

• jet engines lower fuel consumption more RD
  money
• jet engines / press. cockpits pilots could fly
  higher, faster, further, with more
  maneuverability

• better nuclear bombs more payload over longer
  distances
• nuclear missiles increase in AF sphere of
  influence

8
The Cold War
What is a Cold War?
State of political tension and military rivalry
between nations that stops short of actual
full-scale war
Were the US and the Soviets entering into a Cold
War? How do we know?

• USSR and US not getting along as allies in WW II
• USSR spreading communism US promoted democracy
• opposite political views

What were some contributing factors?

• USSR isolating Eastern Europe through communism
• USSR and US entering technology race
• Marshal Plan gave gt 20B to anti-communist
  regimes and
• war-ravaged Europe

9
Closure

• An independent Air Force gloriously reflects a
  military autonomy the founding fathers championed
  during the creation of our nations governmental
  structure.
• -Anonymous

10
Summary

• The NSA of 1947 established an
• independent Air Force
• Roles and Missions
• Technological advancements
• The birth of a US/Soviet Cold War
• Contributing factors