Heroes of the Air 2018 Calendar: The Eighth Air Force-- Part 1: "The Mighty Eighth"

Put out by the Paralyzed Veterans of America organization.

History and beautiful artwork by Gil Cohen.

In World War II, the Eighth Air Force (8th AF) became the greatest air armada of any country during the war in any war with an estimated 350,000 Americans serving by the war's end.  At peak strength, the 8th AF could put up over 2,000 four-engined bombers and more than 1,000 fighters on a mission.

For these reasons the 8th AF is also known as "The Mighty Eighth."

The 8th AF was activated as part of the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) in January 1942 at Hunter Field, Savannah, Georgia.  Colonel Asa N. Duncan was named its first commander.

--GreGen