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In 1947, which law made the US Air Force its own separate branch of the military?

The National Security Act of 1947 created the separate US Air Force.

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  1. The National Security Act ✔
  2. The Air Commerce Act
  3. The National Aeronautics and Space Act

Why: Before 1947, US military aviation belonged to the Army. The National Security Act created the Department of the Air Force and established the US Air Force.

Huh, didn't know that: The same law also created the National Security Council and the Central Intelligence Agency.

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Why did the Air Force want its own branch? It was tired of being grounded by the Army.
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References

Answer: The National Security Act. Before 1947, US military aviation belonged to the Army. The National Security Act created the Department of the Air Force and established the US Air Force.

  1. United States Government Manual: Department of the Air Force www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVMAN-1997-05-30/html/GOVMAN-1997-05-30-Pg183.htm
    The Department of the Air Force (USAF) was established as part of the National Military Establishment by the National Security Act of 1947
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. National Security Act of 1947, Office of the Historian history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/national-security-act
    The act created many of the institutions that Presidents found useful when formulating and implementing foreign policy, including the National Security Council (NSC).
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  3. National Security Act of 1947, Office of the Historian history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/national-security-act
    The act also established the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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