Featuring the collection of airplanes, art, photographs, and memorabilia of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, this magnificently illustrated book tells the story of the beginnings of flight, through the creation of the U.S. Air Force as a separate branch of the military, to the unbelievable technological achievements of what is the preeminent air power in the world today. Here are combat aces, Medal of Honor recipients, crusty generals, and average citizens who served in the Air Force. There are philosophers, airplane designers, test pilots, rocket scientists, armorers, and grease monkeys. More than 250 color and 150 black-and-white illustrations and photos and insightful text present the story of the U.S. Air Force of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, published on the occasion of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the United States Air Force and the one hundredth anniversary of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.