In a very special episode of “things you didn’t know,” Team Mighty wants to give a shout-out to the second-youngest branch of the U.S. military (also known as the Air Force), and fill in the blanks to help people, civilians and non-Airmen alike, learn a few things about those who live in fame or go down in flame.
Here are 17 things you may not know about the United States Air Force.
1. The Air Force tracks Santa.
On December 24, 1955, a newspaper advertisement informed children that they could call Santa at a phone number included in the ad. The number accidentally listed that of the U.S. Air Defense Command. The colonel on duty ordered his team to give all kids Santa’s “current location.” This tradition now handles calls from over 200 countries.
2. The Air Force shares its birthday with the CIA.
Both were founded on September 18, 1947.
3. It used to be in the Army.
On Aug. 1, 1907, the U.S. Army Signal Corps formed the Aeronautical Division, which later evolved into the U.S. Army Air Force. The National Defense Act of 1947 created an independent Air Force.
4. An airman first broke the sound barrier.
In 1947, then-Air Force Capt. Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in his Bell X-1 rocket-powered aircraft, marking the beginning of a race among pilots to achieve the next milestone, which ultimately led to outer space and a man on the moon.
5. Airmen welcome their new commander by stomping on their roof.
A “roof stomp” is an Air Force tradition where airmen welcome a new commander or celebrate a special occasion by climbing up on the commander’s roof and making noise. Meanwhile, others bang on the windows and doors, much like an episode of “The Walking Dead” but without the zombies.
6. They built a supercomputer out of Sony PlayStations.
The Air Force Research Lab built a supercomputer called the Condor Cluster to analyze HD satellite imagery. The supercomputer is composed entirely of 1,760 PlayStation 3s. It’s the 33rd most powerful computer in the world.
7. Airmen get hairier every spring.
Every year, Airmen participate in a Mustache March. In this tradition, airmen grow mustaches throughout the month of March to honor USAF legend: World War II fighter pilot, Vietnam veteran, and triple ace, Brig. Gen. Robin Olds.
8. An “ace” isn’t just a good pilot. They’re the best combat pilots.
An “ace” is a pilot who has shot down five or more enemy aircraft. The top jet ace in USAF history is Joseph C. McConnell, a “triple ace” who shot down 16 MiG fighters during the Korean War over a four-month period, bagging three on his last combat mission of the war. His record still stands.
9. Airmen respect North Dakota.
At the height of the Cold War, North Dakota was home to so many USAF nuclear weapons that if it seceded from the Union, it would have been the third largest nuclear power in the world.
10. Some airmen took the “Live in Fame” part of the Air Force song to heart.
Johnny Cash, George Carlin, Willie Nelson, Morgan Freeman, Hunter S. Thompson, and James Stewart are just a few celebrities who were Airmen. Stewart flew missions in World War II and Vietnam, rising to the rank of Brigadier General while continuing to work in Hollywood.
11. Chuck Norris was an airman.
While Chuck Norris was stationed in Korea, he realized he was physically unable to perform his job as an Air Policeman (now called Security Forces) and developed an interest in martial arts. This is also where he earned the nickname “Chuck.”
12. The Air Force boasts two Presidents.
Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush served as airmen. Reagan served in World War II, when the branch was still known as the Army Air Forces. Bush served in the Texas Air National Guard before transferring to the Air Force Reserve during the Vietnam era.
13. “Air Force One” isn’t the name of a plane.
Air Force One is the radio call name for any Air Force plane carrying the President of the United States. The same as the Marine helicopter carrying the President of the United States is Marine One.
14. The F-117 fighter uses aerodynamics discovered from bumblebee flight.
15. Their weathermen are special forces.
They go through Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, Air Force Basic Survival School, Air Force Water Survival Training, Air Force Underwater Egress Training, Combat Control School at Pope Field, North Carolina, and Special Tactics Training at Hurlbert Field. They primarily work with Air Force and Army Special Operations Forces, but can also be attached to Marine MARSOC and Navy SEAL teams.
16. The Air Force is the only branch to fight the Soviet Union directly.
The U.S. and the Soviet Union fought one pitched battle—a dogfight during World War II over the Serbian town of Niš. The outcome was unclear, and both governments classified the details of the incident forever.
17. The Air Force has an official band.
They do more than Souza marches; they drop singles and shoot music videos.
Can’t get enough Air Force?
These are just some fun facts. We Are The Mighty is written by veterans for the military community and its civilian supporters. Learn more about the Air Force and its culture by reading on:
- 9 Reasons you should have joined the Air Force instead
- 32 Terms only Airmen understand
- The complete hater’s guide to the US Air Force
