United States Army Air Corps

United States military

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

The United States Army Air Corps was established by the Air Corps Act of 1926, replacing the Air Service. It was responsible for training and logistical support, while tactical units remained under Army command. The Air Corps saw rapid expansion before and during World War II, becoming an autonomous command within the Army as the Army Air Forces (AAF) in 1941. The AAF directed a massive expansion, becoming a powerful organization with numerous air forces, combat groups, and aircraft. During the war, U.S. air forces participated in strategic bombing campaigns and provided support in various ground campaigns across Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific. The AAF was reorganized in 1946 and then became the independent U.S. Air Force on July 26, 1947, following the National Security Act.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Henry Harley Arnold
…as assistant chief of the Army Air Corps. When his superior, General Oscar Westover, was killed in a plane crash in 1938, Arnold succeeded him as chief. Anticipating the coming global conflict, Arnold strongly pressed for increased Air Corps appropriations and aid to the Allies, despite the hostility of isolationists…
Read More
…as assistant chief of the Army Air Corps. When his superior, General Oscar Westover, was killed in a plane crash in 1938, Arnold succeeded him as chief. Anticipating the coming global conflict, Arnold strongly pressed for increased Air Corps appropriations and aid to the Allies, despite the hostility of isolationists…
Read More

Phoenix
Postwar growth
…for the relocation of several U.S. Army Air Corps detachments to the area. Two important air bases, Williams and Luke, were established, and the military brought in thousands of personnel, many of whom remained or returned after completion of their service. In the aftermath of the Cold War, the military…
Read More
…for the relocation of several U.S. Army Air Corps detachments to the area. Two important air bases, Williams and Luke, were established, and the military brought in thousands of personnel, many of whom remained or returned after completion of their service. In the aftermath of the Cold War, the military…
Read More

United States Air Force
…the Air Service with the Army Air Corps, which was responsible for the training and logistical support of its units, while the tactical units themselves were under the control of Army commands.
Read More
…the Air Service with the Army Air Corps, which was responsible for the training and logistical support of its units, while the tactical units themselves were under the control of Army commands.
Read More