EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022 to celebrate 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – (December 2, 2021) – The 75th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force will be one of the highlights of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022, the 69th edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual fly-in convention coming July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

“At Oshkosh in 2022, we aim to showcase the memorable history of the Air Force, from its initial post-World War II era to the impressive personnel, aircraft, and technology of today,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programming, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “The Air Force’s presence at AirVenture also helps spark inspiration among today’s youth toward the innovations and possibilities available to them through aviation.”

Specific activities and aircraft will be announced as they are finalized, but will include fly-bys, static displays, and presentations throughout AirVenture week, including evening programs at EAA’s Theater in the Woods. Some of the aircraft will also fly as part of the daily air shows that are always favorites among AirVenture attendees.

The U.S. Air Force was created on September 18, 1947, as part of the National Security Act, which established a separate military air branch and put all military branches under a new Department of Defense. It recognized the importance of military air operations and separated it from the former Army Air Forces while naval aviation operations remained separate.

U.S. military air operations date back to the Civil War, when balloons were first used as reconnaissance platforms. In the early 1900s, the Army’s Signal Corps was tasked with “all matters pertaining to military ballooning, air machines and all kindred subjects.” The first aero squadron, as it was then known, became active in 1913 and saw its first combat duty in 1916.

Today, the Air Force has more than 325,000 personnel and more than 5,000 aircraft. The Air Force also has incorporated an increasing number of unmanned aerial systems as part of its inventory, and continues development of new aerial technology to meet current operational demands.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive the lowest prices on admission rates. Free youth admission for ages 18 and under is supported in part by The Boeing Company. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.twitter.com/EAA.