News 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.

Flashback: Puff the Magic Dragon: Development of the AC-47 Gunship

The AC-47 goes by many names, originally the FC-47, more famously “Puff the Magic Dragon” or “Spooky” but, was the first in a line of aircraft to be called a Gunship.

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Commemorating U.S. Air Force Service in Major Conflicts: The 50th Anniversary of the End of the Vietnam War (1975)

AFHRA honors the contributions and legacy of Mr. Kenneth H. Williams (AF/HOH). Williams’ study on the Vietnam War, “Commemorating U.S. Air Force Service in Major Conflicts: 50th Anniversary of the End of the Vietnam War (1975),” provides a comprehensive account of joint military and Air Force

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AFHRA: unlocking the archives

At the Air Force Historical Research Agency, a dedicated team of historians and archivists are tasked with a critical mission: transforming lessons from the battles of yesterday into a decisive strategic advantage for today’s Airmen and Guardians. By maintaining the official repository for Air Force

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Seeing Off the Bear: Anglo-American Air Power During the Cold War

This publication was created from symposium proceedings called "Seeing Off the Bear," which was held in September 1993. It offers an insightful look into the enduring "special relationship" between the United Kingdom and the United States, recognizing it as one of the primary reasons for ultimate

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Badge of Honor: Defender Airmen - History of Force Protection

"Badge of Honor" is the USAF Security Forces legacy history that chronicles Defender force protection from the inception of the U.S. Air Force to today's Global War on Terrorism. It explores the career field's primary core competencies of air base defense, law enforcement and nuclear security. It is

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Air Force Historical Operations and Hurricane Katrina

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast and prompted the largest humanitarian military response in U.S. history. The Air Force mobilized active duty, Reserve, and National Guard units under Joint Task Force Katrina and flew life-saving missions to deliver aid, rescue

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The Balkans, the Great Powers, and the Historical Roots of Conflict and Ongoing Tensions

Thirty years ago, in August 1995, NATO launched an air campaign in the Balkan area of Bosnia and Herzegovina that was known as Operation Deliberate Force. The allied nations were attempting to break the Serbian-orchestrated siege of Sarajevo and precipitate peace talks to end the Bosnian War

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History in Two: Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Performance Enhancement - 1950

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has been the backbone of U.S. Air Force Strategic deterrence since it became operational in 1955.

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American Airpower - The 75th Anniversary of the Korean War

The 75th Anniversary of the Korean WarThe Korean War, a conflict that spanned from 1950 to 1953, marked the first major combat action for the newly independent United States Air Force. The Air Force played a crucial role in the war, both in achieving air superiority and supporting ground operations.

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From D+2 Onward - The Aerial Victories of the 142nd Wing

The 142nd Wing operates the F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft, the undisputed champion of modern jet air combat with over 100 aerial victories credited and no losses in conflicts since the 1980s. The 142nd Wing is equipped with the combat-proven F-15C Eagle fighter designed for air superiority. The new

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A LOOK BACK: Mae Wests and Electric Suits -- outfitting the Masters of the Air with aviator clothing and survival equipment

A look back at efforts to outfit World War II aviators.

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316th Wing historians win top Air Force award

Sarah A. Barksdale, left, 316th Wing historian, and Meaghan Kacmarcik, deputy historian, pose for a photo at Joint Base Andrews. The 316th Wing History Office earned the Department of the Air Force Excellence in History Program Award, which recognizes the service’s top individual history office for

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Emblems Vs Patches: What’s the Difference?

Department of the Air Force (DAF) heraldry connects us to our long and storied past. Organizations need enduring symbols in the form of emblems to promote esprit de corps, morale, and a sense of heritage. Some people use the terms “emblem” and “patch” interchangeably; however, the two products are

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Former ambassador grandson digs through first secretary of the Air Force’s memorabilia

Former U.S. Ambassador Stuart Symington visited the Air Force Historical Research Agency to take a look at some of his grandfather’s old documents and memorabilia while here as a guest of the Air Force chief of staff.

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Through the lens of resilience: How a historian confronts vision challenges

When Meaghan M. Kacmarcik was 10 years old, she was stricken with a rare genetic eye disease that impaired her vision, but she has not let it stand in the way of success and her passion for history.

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AFHRA: Uncovering DAF History

The Air Force Historical Research Agency serves as an institutional memory of the Department of the Air Force, preserving history through a vast collection of documents, personal records and historical papers since its establishment in 1943. The agency plays a crucial role in maintaining the stories

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History turned digital preserving Tyndall's past

Through vivid interactive maps, immersive storytelling and the power of visuals Coffman’s project, History turned Digital, takes historical archives, and turns it into a web format offering a fresh approach to learning history. He aims to make the 325th Fighter Wing’s history more accessible and

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Four decades of service: 78th Air Base Wing chief historian

Dr. William Head, 78th Air Base Wing chief historian for Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, gives some insight into the history of Robins and talks about his significant contributions as a writer, archivist and chronicler Jun. 8, 2024.

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Sept. 23, 2024
History turned digital preserving Tyndall's past

Through vivid interactive maps, immersive storytelling and the power of visuals Coffman’s project, History turned Digital, takes historical archives, and turns it into a web format offering a fresh approach to learning history. He aims to make the 325th Fighter Wing’s history more accessible and
April 26, 2024
VSFB and NSIN Collaborate to Revolutionize Space Launch Operations

Space Launch Delta 30 personnel worked this week to develop a model for the Spaceport of the Future through a National Security Innovation Network’s (NSIN) bootcamp, a U.S. Department of Defense program.
Aug. 31, 2023
DAF unveils art commemorating 75 Years of Air and Space Power

DAF celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Air and Space heritage in September 2022 and commissioned the art to help tell the stories of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
Jan. 6, 2022
AFSOC History Office wins 2021 Air Force Excellence in Command History Program Award

The award recognizes the best primary or field command history office for outstanding history and heritage programs leadership that provided exemplary historical services to improve organizational effectiveness, esprit de corps, and combat capability.

From the Field

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DAF History & Heritage News

Flashback: Puff the Magic Dragon: Development of the AC-47 Gunship

Commemorating U.S. Air Force Service in Major Conflicts: The 50th Anniversary of the End of the Vietnam War (1975)

AFHRA: unlocking the archives

Seeing Off the Bear: Anglo-American Air Power During the Cold War

Badge of Honor: Defender Airmen - History of Force Protection

Air Force Historical Operations and Hurricane Katrina

The Balkans, the Great Powers, and the Historical Roots of Conflict and Ongoing Tensions

History in Two: Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Performance Enhancement - 1950

American Airpower - The 75th Anniversary of the Korean War

From D+2 Onward - The Aerial Victories of the 142nd Wing

A LOOK BACK: Mae Wests and Electric Suits -- outfitting the Masters of the Air with aviator clothing and survival equipment

316th Wing historians win top Air Force award

Emblems Vs Patches: What’s the Difference?

Former ambassador grandson digs through first secretary of the Air Force’s memorabilia

Through the lens of resilience: How a historian confronts vision challenges

AFHRA: Uncovering DAF History

History turned digital preserving Tyndall's past

Four decades of service: 78th Air Base Wing chief historian

News Articles

History turned digital preserving Tyndall's past

VSFB and NSIN Collaborate to Revolutionize Space Launch Operations

DAF unveils art commemorating 75 Years of Air and Space Power

AFSOC History Office wins 2021 Air Force Excellence in Command History Program Award