One Hundred Years of Flight USAF Chronology ... - The Air University

2001
April 23: The RQ–4A Global Hawk completed the first nonstop crossing of
the Pacific Ocean by an unmanned aerial vehicle. It flew from Edwards
Air Force Base, California, to Edinburgh, Australia—a distance of
7,500 miles—in about 23 hours. The flight demonstrated the potential
of the world’s most advanced high-altitude, long-range, remotely operated
aircraft.
May 8: Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld designated the Air Force
as executive agent for the Pentagon’s space activities.
June 5: For the first time, the Air Force promoted the Air Force Reserve
commander to three-star rank, reflecting the growing importance of
the Reserve in the “total force.” The commander was Lt. Gen. James
E. Serrard, III.
July 13: Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, and McClellan Air Force Base, California,
were closed, reflecting the continued reduction of the Air Force.
August 13: The Helios, an experimental, solar-powered, remotely piloted
National Aeronautics and Space Administration aircraft, reached a
record altitude of 96,500 feet on a flight that lasted almost 17 hours.
August 24: At Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, the Air Force
imploded the last of the Minuteman III missile silos in accordance
with the terms of the first Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
September 11: Arab terrorists hijacked four U.S. airliners, crashing two of
them into the 110-story twin towers of the World Trade Center in New
York and one into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Both towers and
part of the Pentagon collapsed, and more than 3,000 people died.
Heroic passengers rushed hijackers in the fourth aircraft, and it
crashed in a field in Pennsylvania instead of hitting another target.
The Federal Aviation Administration grounded all airliners in the
United States for several days. President George W. Bush announced a
war on terrorism and initiated homeland-defense efforts, including
Operation NOBLE EAGLE, which involved combat air patrols within
the United States.
September 14: President George W. Bush authorized the call-up of 50,000
reservists to active duty for the war on terrorism.
September 19: The Air Force awarded a contract for low-rate initial production
of the F–22 to the Lockheed Martin Corporation. The contract
called for production of 10 of the new stealthy air-superiority
fighters.
September 20: President George W. Bush announced he was setting up an
Office of Homeland Security with former Pennsylvania governor
Thomas Ridge as its head.
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