The Journey of Flight.pdf - Valkyrie Cadet

than 900,000. By 1947, this figure was
cut to 300,000. America was certain
its monopoly on the atomic bomb
provided all the security it needed. No
one would dare attack the United
States or her Allies for fear of massive
strikes like the ones the Japanese
experienced at Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. Therefore, there was no
need to maintain a large military force.
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Force: FF
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Designed Designed Designed Designed Designed to to to to to Defend Defend Defend Defend Defend the the the the the
Nation Nation Nation Nation Nation
The RB-36D was one of the largest bombers ever built. It was a mainstay
of the Strategic Air Command in the 1950s.
The lessons learned from World War II seemed to indicate that air power and the atom bomb could
provide for the security of the United States. However, General Billy Mitchell was right, the United
States needed a separate but equal Air Force. This would ensure a strong and powerful Air Force, like
the Army and the Navy. If the Air Force was going to carry the bulk of the load for the defense of the
United States, it had to be separated from the Army. This would allow the Air Force to grow without
interference from the Army and, more importantly, give the Air Force its very own budget.
With the passage of the National Security Act, on July 26, 1947, the Army Air Forces of World War
II became the United States Air Force (USAF). The first Secretary of the Air Force was Stuart Symington,
and General Carl Spaatz became the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.
This newly formed United States Air Force’s primary mission was deterrence. The Air Force needed
to be strong enough that no nation would dare attack the United States. The United States Air Force
could destroy a nation with atomic bombs. This mission was given to the Strategic Air Command
(SAC). At that time, SAC had nothing but a handful of B-29s, an improved offshoot called the B-50,
and just a few atom bombs.
The new, giant B-36 started service in 1948. At this point in history, this bomber was the largest
bomber ever built. It was designed in 1941 when it looked like England might lose the Battle of Britain
to the Germans. If England had lost, bases would not have been available for the bombing of Germany.
This is why the B-36 was designed to carry 10,000 pounds of bombs 10,000 miles. This huge plane
weighed six times as much as the B-17 and was powered by six pusher propellers (later, four jet
engines were added).
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The huge B-36 bomber was just one of many developments during World War II. There were also
advances in aircraft design, instrumentation, navigation, electronic systems, engines, and armor
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