Air Force Historical Research Agency Welcome to the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Legacy Vault

DAF Legacy Vault

We are excited to announce the development of a new digital space dedicated to showcasing the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) official archival records. This project highlights the rich and storied history of both the Air Force and Space Force, featuring historical records, artifacts, photographs, audio recordings, video documentation, and archival finding aids.

Although the page is currently under construction, our team is actively working to ensure it becomes a comprehensive and accessible resource for historians, researchers, veterans, and enthusiasts. We aim to make these valuable materials readily discoverable for those seeking insights into the DAF's contributions to our nation's history.

This initiative underscores our commitment to preserving and sharing the official ephemera of the Airmen and Guardians who have shaped the legacy of the skies and beyond. Updates will follow as the project progresses, and we look forward to unveiling more resources soon!

DAF History Publications

One Hundred Years of Flight: USAF Chronology of Significant Air and Space Events 1903-2002
This chronology presents one hundred years of air and space flight and documents the evolution of U.S. aviation from the Wright brothers’ first powered flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903 to the sophisticated space and missile operations of the early 2000s. Detailed entries include early military flights at Fort Myer in Virginia, the establishment of key training centers at Langley Field and Maxwell Air Force Base, and records of pioneering achievements by officers such as Capt. Thomas E. Selfridge, General Henry H. Arnold, and Capt. Charles E. Yeager, whose supersonic flight tests at Muroc Air Base redefined performance. The timeline also captures critical advances in bomber development with aircraft like the B-52 operating from Vandenberg Air Force Base and highlights major strategic missions including the Berlin airlift from Andrews Air Force Base, the Apollo lunar missions launched from Cape Canaveral, and the deployment of intercontinental ballistic missiles that transformed global air power projection. Furthermore, it chronicles key humanitarian airlift operations, space reconnaissance achievements with the U-2 and SR-71, and the transformational reorganization that led to an independent U.S. Air Force and the integration of space operations.

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Photo by: Daniel L. Haulman |  VIRIN: ONE HUNDRED YEARS FLIGHT.PDF