From the Field

The History and Museum Program includes historians, archivist, and curators across the Department of the Air Force. Take a look at the work our program has done over the years and the historic events covered under their watch.

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DAF History & Heritage News

News Articles

  • Air Force Historical Research Agency Aids Service Member Recovery Efforts

    When a World War II P-38 was found in New Guinea, no one knew who had been on board, their unit or the date of the crash. A box of records in the stacks of Air Force Historical Research Agency, or HRA, may provide the answers.Following the motto "until they are home," the Joint POW/MIA

  • Toward Independence: TheEmergence of the U. S. Air Force 1945-1947

    From the Wright Brothers' first flight, a long, convoluted road led to the creation of the modern independent United Sttes Air Force.  Despite frustrating bureaucratic delays and political maneuvering, the ultimate goal was clear.  Two world wars had devastated whole continents and threatened

  • Aerospace historians preserve Air Force legacy

    In March 1942 President Franklin Roosevelt wanted an accurate and objective account of the United States wartime experiences. In July 1943, General Henry "Hap" Arnold, Army Air Forces commander, established the historical division under Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Intelligence to achieve this

  • CAOC historians preserve past for the future

    Philosopher George Santayana once wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”With the volume of events from operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, someone has to decide what details from these operations are filed away for future leaders to draw upon years down