The US Air Force was established as an independent military service on September 18, 1947 following the signature of the National Security Act by former President Harry S. Truman. It has become the biggest and most powerful air arm in the World. We look back at how the USAF came to be, and at its history since then. We also look at the real challenges that it faces today. Because this is not an official publication, we can tell the story as it is, and not necessarily as the USAF would want it to be.