Q 01/05

In what year did the US Air Force become an independent branch of the armed forces?

A) 1947

B) 1949

C) 1952

D) 1958

Answer · why

A) 1947

It was formally created on 18 September when the first Secretary of the Air Force, W. Stuart Symington, was sworn in.

Q 02/05

The Air Force traces its origins to 1 August 1907 as a division of which Army branch?

A) The Quartermaster Corps

B) The Corps of Engineers

C) The Signal Corps

D) The Cavalry

Answer · why

C) The Signal Corps

The Aeronautical Division became the Aviation Section, the Air Service, the Air Corps and the Army Air Forces before independence.

Q 03/05

Who was the first Secretary of the Air Force?

A) Carl Spaatz

B) James Forrestal

C) W. Stuart Symington

D) Hoyt Vandenberg

Answer · why

C) W. Stuart Symington

He was sworn in on 18 September 1947, the date the service counts as its birthday.

Q 04/05

Roughly how many military aircraft does the US Air Force, the world's largest, operate?

A) About 2,000

B) About 3,000

C) About 4,000

D) About 5,500

Answer · why

D) About 5,500

It also has the world's largest strategic bomber force, at 130 aircraft.

Q 05/05

How many Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles does the Air Force operate?

A) 100

B) 200

C) 300

D) 400

Answer · why

D) 400

Together with air-delivered weapons that is about 49% of the US nuclear stockpile.