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Heritage

The Heritage section is dedicated to the former Airmen who developed the independent Air Force and continue its evolution into cyberspace. The subsections provide an overview of important people and milestones. The data has biographical profiles and citations for Medal of Honor recipients along with spotlights featuring important dates in Air Force heritage. The people, events and equipment of the past are integral to understanding the future.

This Week in History

September 9, 1908
Lt. Frank P. Lahm became the first military passenger to fly with Orville Wright in the Wright Flyer at Fort Myer, Va. They set a new duration record of 57 minutes 25 seconds, making 57 trips around the field at 100 feet. Later that day, Mr. Wright also flew for 62 minutes 15 seconds.

September 9, 1950
While North Korean forces neared Taegu, South Korea, Far East Air Force bombers started a rail interdiction campaign north of Seoul to slow enemy reinforcements. Medium bombers attacked marshalling yards and cut rails at multiple points along key routes.

September 9, 1959
A Strategic Air Command crew fired the first Atlas D from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Afterwards Gen. Thomas S. Power, SAC's commander-in-chief, declared the system operational. The missile traveled 4,300 miles at 16,000 mph.

September 9, 1962
The first Atlas F squadron, the 550th Strategic Missile Squadron, became operational at Schilling AFB, Kan.

More Milestones

Medal of Honor Tribute

Medal of Honor Receipients

Heritage News

Academy holds panel honoring women's suffrage  3

World War II vet awarded Distinguished Flying Cross  11  |  VIDEO

England ceremony marks 70th anniversary of Eighth Air Force

Drill Team members reflect on where they came from during AF Week

USAF Honor Guard, Band represent Airmen at Air Force Week

Airmen gain insight during former CMSAF forum

Enlisted village cares for AF widows, families

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. announce Military Awards winners

Air Force leaders send birthday messages to Coast Guard

Randolph to save money by planting perennials  3

Spotlights

Berlin Airlift

Project Score

Navaho X-10

Inside AF.mil

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