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History of Army Air Corp

The Army Air Corps was established in 1926 as the aerial warfare service component of the United States Army, succeeding the earlier Air Service. Its creation marked a significant step in the development of American military aviation, providing greater autonomy and resources for air operations. Throughout the 1930s, the Army Air Corps expanded its fleet and improved training in anticipation of global conflicts. During World War II, it played a crucial role in air combat and support missions before being reorganized into the United States Army Air Forces in 1941, paving the way for the independent U.S. Air Force in 1947.

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ABOUT Army Air Corp

  • Origins: The U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC) was established in 1926 as the aerial warfare service component of the United States Army, replacing the earlier Air Service.
  • Predecessor of the Air Force: The Air Corps was the direct predecessor to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) and, ultimately, the independent United States Air Force in 1947.
  • Golden Age of Aviation: The Air Corps played a vital role during the "Golden Age of Aviation" in the 1930s, fostering technological innovation and record-breaking flights.
  • Notable Aircraft: The Air Corps operated iconic planes such as the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Douglas B-18 Bolo, and Curtiss P-36 Hawk.
  • Expansion Before WWII: In response to growing global tensions, the Air Corps rapidly expanded in the late 1930s, increasing from a few hundred aircraft to thousands by 1941.
  • Tuskegee Airmen: The Air Corps began training the famed Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in the U.S. armed forces, during World War II.
  • First Air Mail: Army Air Corps pilots were among the first to fly U.S. air mail routes, helping to prove the reliability of powered flight for communication and logistics.
  • Jimmy Doolittle: Renowned aviator Jimmy Doolittle, who later led the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo in 1942, was an influential member of the Air Corps, pioneering instrument flying.
  • Women in the Corps: The Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) and later the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) were closely associated with Air Corps operations during WWII, breaking new ground for women in the military.
  • Legacy: The heritage and traditions of the Army Air Corps are still honored in today’s U.S. Air Force, with many squadrons and units tracing their lineage back to the Corps.

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