In what year was the United States Air Force established as a separate branch?

The United States Air Force was established as a separate branch of the U.S. military on September 18, 1947. This significant move was part of the National Security Act of 1947, which aimed to unify the military forces under the Department of Defense and recognized the need for an independent air service due to the increasing importance of air power in modern warfare. Prior to this establishment, the Air Force was part of the Army as the Army Air Forces. The creation of the Air Force as its own branch marked a pivotal moment in military history, emphasizing the strategic role of air power.