History
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Pioneer I Lunar Probe
On Oct. 11, 1958, an Air Force-launched Pioneer I lunar probe vehicle attains a height of approximately 80,000 miles before falling back to the earth Oct. 13. The probe returned data on the Van Allen Belt and other phenomena before returning to the earth's atmosphere. The spacecraft did not achieve the lunar trajectory planned due to a programming error in the upper stage causing a slight error in burnout velocity and angle.
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October 12, 1927
Wright Field replaces McCook Field as the Air Service test site. |
October 12, 1977
The first class of five U.S. Air Force women navigators graduates, with three of the five assigned to Military Airlift Command aircrews. |
October 13, 1972
Capt. Jeffrey S. Feinstein achieves ace status by shooting down his fifth MiG-21. |
October 14, 1947
Capt. Charles E. Yeager at Muroc Air Base, Calif. makes the first faster-than-sound flight, in a rocket-powered research plane, Bell XS-1 rocket ship. Captain Yeager wins the Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious flight of the year. |
 More Milestones
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This section is dedicated to the men and women who
made the U.S.Air Force what it is today. The people,
events and equipment of the past are integral to
understanding the future. The various subsections
provide an overview of the Air Force's heritage,
important people, airpower, images, milestones and
art. For more in depth coverage of Air Force
history go to our links page and visit some of
these specialized sites.
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