The National Security Act created the Air Force as an independent service on which date?

The National Security Act created the Air Force as an independent service on which date?

• A. 26 July 1947
• B. 1 January 1948
• C. 18 September 1947
• D. 15 August 1947

Answer: (C)

The key idea is when the National Security Act actually took effect to make the Air Force a separate service. The act was signed into law on July 26, 1947, and reorganized the military by creating the Air Force as an independent branch with its own leadership. Independence began when the act’s provisions took effect on September 18, 1947, marking Air Force Day as a distinct service within the U.S. armed forces. That date reflects the moment the Air Force became a separate entity, not merely the signing date or a later calendar date.

The key idea is when the National Security Act actually took effect to make the Air Force a separate service. The act was signed into law on July 26, 1947, and reorganized the military by creating the Air Force as an independent branch with its own leadership. Independence began when the act’s provisions took effect on September 18, 1947, marking Air Force Day as a distinct service within the U.S. armed forces. That date reflects the moment the Air Force became a separate entity, not merely the signing date or a later calendar date.