The Syrian airfield prepare for reception of military aircraft of China
The latest news about fast emergence in borders of Syria of navy of China encouraged Syrians and res[...]
1954
FEBRUARY 10 The Air Force Strategic Missile Evaluation Committee announces a major breakthrough in the size and weight of nuclear warheads. It therefore recommends that a special group be tasked to help accelerate the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
MARCH 1 In the Marshall Islands, a 15- megaton bomb is tested by the United States for the first time. This device is a thousand times more powerful than the atomic bombs utilized during World War II.
MARCH 5 Over Edwards Air Force Base, California, the Lockheed XF-104 prototype performs its maiden flight. It subsequently enters service as the F-104 Starfighter.
April 1 In Washington, D. C., President
Dwight D. Eisenhower signs legislation creating the U. S. Air Force Academy. In lieu of a permanent campus, the first classes will be conducted at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado.
The first Convair C-131A transports, the military version of the Model 240 Airliner, is accepted into the Air Force inventory.
April 8 In Washington, D. C., the Air
Force Assistant Chief of Staff for Guided Missiles is created at the Pentagon.
June 18 The Martin B-57B Canberra flies for the first time. This model is specifically designed for ground interdiction purposes.
June 4 Over California, a Bell X-1A research aircraft piloted by Major Arthur Murray sets a world altitude record of 90,000 feet.
June 21 At Yokota Air Base, Japan, three 22nd Bombardment Wing B-47 Strato – jets commanded by Major General Walter C. Sweeney, Jr., make a 6,700-mile nonstop flight from March Air Force Base, California, in only 15 hours. The flight requires two in-flight refuelings from KC-97 tankers.
June 26—July 17 In Indochina (Vietnam) Operation wounded warrior unfolds as transports of the 315th Air Division, Military Air Transport Service (MATS), evacuate 500 injured French soldiers back to France, via Japan.
June 28 The Douglas RB-66 prototype reconnaissance aircraft flies for the first time.
July 1 The Western Development Division is established under Brigadier General Bernard A. Schriever. It is tasked with developing the Air Force intercontinental ballistic missile system, particularly as it relates to the ongoing Atlas program.
July 15 In Seattle, Washington, the Boeing KC-135, which is based on the
 |
Model 707 airliner, makes its maiden flight. This aircraft enters service as the KC-135 Stratotanker, and serves as an essential component of the Strategic Air Command (SAC).
July 26 The distinction of serving as the first superintendent of the Air Force Academy goes to Lieutenant General Hubert R. Harmon.
AUGUST 5 The first production B-52 Stratofortress rolls off the assembly line. This eight-jet behemoth becomes the backbone of the Strategic Air Command for a decade and is still employed in front-line service to the present.
AUGUST 6—7 This day a pair of 308th Bombardment Wing B-47s flies nonstop from Hunter Air Force Base, Georgia, to French Morocco, and back. Concurrently, the 38th Air Division contributes two B-47s which also depart Hunter AFB on a simulated bomb run over
French Morocco. Both units consequently win the Mackay Trophy.
AUGUST 23 The Lockheed YC-130 turboprop-powered transport prototype flies for the first time. This enters service as the C-130 Hercules, which remains in front-line service over half-a-century later.
AUGUST 26 Over Edwards Air Force Base, California, a Bell X-1A piloted by Major Arthur Murray reaches a record altitude of 90,440 feet, where the curvature of the Earth can be clearly observed.
September 1 At Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Continental Air Defense Command establishes its headquarters under General Benjamin W. Chidlaw.
The Fairchild C-123B Provider prototype performs its maiden flight. This aircraft will see extensive service throughout the Vietnam War, a decade hence.
September 27 At George Air Force Base, California, the F-100A Super Sabre jet fighter is declared operational.
September 29 The McDonnell F-101A Voodoo all-weather interceptor flies for the first time. This is an outgrowth of the earlier XF-88. It serves with distinction throughout the Vietnam War as a reconnaissance platform.
OCTOBER 8 Over Edwards Air Force Base, California, the Bell X-1B rocket research aircraft flies for the first time with Major Arthur Murray at the controls.
OCTOBER 9 In Washington, D. C., the Department ofDefense adds an additional $500 million to this year’s guided missile budget in an attempt to accelerate development of the Atlas ICBM.
OCTOBER 12 Over Wichita, Kansas, the Cessna XT-37 jet trainer flies for the first time. This unique, side-by-side aircraft also serves with distinction as a light attack bomber during the Vietnam War.
OCTOBER 18—19 Distinguished scientist Theodore von Karman convenes the ad hoc committee of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board for the purpose of considering nuclear power as a source ofmis – sile propulsion. They ultimately recommend that the issue remain closely studied to maintain cogency in this field.
OCTOBER 27 Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, son of the Army’s first African American general, becomes the first minority brigadier general in Air Force history.
November 1 The venerable Boeing B – 29 Superfortress, the aircraft that helped to end World War II, is finally retired from active service.
November 2 At San Diego, California, the Convair XFY-1 Pogo, a vertical liftoff fighter, performs its maiden flight from Lindbergh Field. After rising from the ground like a helicopter, it transitions to horizontal flight and then lands vertically. This spectacular vehicle does not enter into production.
November 7 Off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan, an RB-29 reconnaissance aircraft is attacked by Soviet MiG-15s and shot down.
November 17-19 A B-47 Stratojet flown by Colonel David A. Burchinal is forced by bad weather to remain aloft over England and France for 47 hours and 35 minutes. He is forced to refuel in the air nine times while waiting for clear weather to land.
December 7 At Edwards Air Force Base, California, a fully automated approach and landing system successfully brings an X-10 Navajo missile back to base.
DECEMBER 10 Aviation medicine research Colonel John P. Strapp endures a rocket-sled test that accelerates him to 630 miles per hour, which is the same as ejecting from an aircraft at Mach 1.7. That he emerges unhurt demonstrates the resiliency of the human body.
December 20 The revamped F-102A, now endowed with a “wasp waist” as per the new “area rule,” is successfully tested for the first time. It enters service as the Delta Dagger, becoming the first Air Force jet armed solely with guided missiles.
DECEMBER 23 The Air Force, the Navy, and NACA sign a joint memoranda to begin shared development of a hypersonic research aircraft, which emerges as the X-15.