Although the U. S. Air Force emerged as a separate military arm of the government only a quarter of a century ago, its history goes back to the Civil War when the Union Army sent men aloft in balloons to observe the movements of the Confederate Army. Documents dealing with these early "air operations in the department of aeronautics"-as well as the subsequent activities of successor aeronautical agencies including the Air Force-are preserved in several dozen public and private repositories .throughout the nation. They include not only the official government documents on the Air Force but...
Although the U. S. Air Force emerged as a separate military arm of the government only a quarter of a century ago, its history goes back to the Civil ...
