by C/CMSgt Cynthia Fry, Steamboat Springs Composite Squadron

Ever since America was attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, command of the air has played a vital role in our National Security. The United States has grown to be a leader in aerospace technology and development since the end of WWII. When the war ended, the German and Japanese scientists were divided among the winning countries, and several came to America. The allies also discovered that the axis powers had several prototypes of working jet engines, long range bombers, and the delta shape wing. Had the war gone on much longer, the outcome might have been very different, simply due to aerospace power.

During the 1950's and 60's there was a space race to put an artificial satellite in space, and later place a man on the moon. The race revolved around aerospace knowledge and power. The United Soviet Socialist's Republic (U.S.S.R.) placed the first satellite in space, sputnik, as well as putting the first man is space. Wernher Von Braun developed the V-2 long range liquid rocket, and the Saturn V launch system used on the manned lunar landing mission. The U.S. won the race in 1969 when Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon.

During the cold war period, aerospace power was essential, from nuclear rockets to spy planes and satellites. The most sophisticated nuclear weapons were delivered by rockets and bombers, and required advanced aerospace technology. The technology reached such an advanced state, that the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. were extremely close to destroying the entire world. Mutual Assured Destruction (M.A.D.) is the acronym that describes the attitude of the period.

When the Vietnam War broke out, both the Air Force and the Army relied heavily on aerospace power. The Air Force flew the versatile B-52 bomber among others, and dropped over 6 tons of bombs on Vietnam. The Army developed several air-cavalry units that used the helicopter for its speed and mobility.

In the Persian Gulf War, the United States Air Force was relied upon heavily for softening up the front lines. After the high flying B-52's were finished bombing the Iraqi tank placements, it took the ground forces a mere 100 hours to finish the war. The F-15, the stealth fighters and bombers, and possibly the fabled Aurora have taken the United States into the twenty-first century.

Our space missions and satellites send us valuable information pertaining to science and national security. The U.S. has used spy planes and unmanned drones to intercept valuable intelligence information. America continues to develop aerospace technology, and to maintain its edge over the rest of the world. Places like Top Gun were developed to keep out pilots ready and prepared. As we are currently engaged in war, the United States Air Force is showing its power to the world. Whether it is to increase accuracy in modern weapons systems, or to build the international space station, the nation is learning more about how to protect itself and make our world a safer place to live. Scientists are continuing to design faster planes, more precise rockets and missiles, and advanced satellite systems to keep our nation safe.

The basic laws of gravity and motion have not changed since the days of Newton and Bernoulli, and the plane designed by the Wright Brothers will still fly. Building upon this fundamental foundation, America has continually led in aerospace technology and development. The U.S. Air Force arsenal has grown from a few single engine planes with machine guns, to hundreds of F-16's, B-52 bombers and Stealth fighters equipped with the most advanced weapons systems including laser guidance systems and GPS. America continues to stay strong and secure, due to its power and innovation in the field of aerospace.