Beyond the Wild Blue: A History of the U.S. Air Force

1997

Documentary

A vivid and fast-moving portrait of the United States Air Force, which went from the ruins of World War II demobilization to become the principal weapon of the world's only Superpower, rendered through archival film and interviews with key figures in Air Force history.

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Language

Status

Ended

First Aired

May 5, 1997

Last Aired

June 2, 1997

Networks

History

Where to Watch

Region US · Lang EN

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Seasons & Episodes

Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.

Season

Disintegration and Rebirth

Air date: 1997-05-05

Over the objections of the Navy, the USAF is created out of the remnants of the WWII Army Air Forces. American military leaders came back from World War II convinced of the importance of air power and the need for expansion in the future. On September 18th, 1947 the Air Force was split off from the Army and a new branch of the military was born. Within a year, the new service conducts the Berlin Airlift in its first Cold War test.

Korea, SAC, and the ICBMs

Air date: 1997-05-12

Vietnam: the Endless Abyss

Air date: 1997-05-19

Rebuilding for Space

Air date: 1997-05-26

Desert Storm to the Future

Air date: 1997-06-02