ABSTRACT
Introduction The history of the defense of the U .S . and North American airspace dates back to the earliest days of manned flight and continues uninterrupted into the 21st century . The days during and immediately following World War I
saw assets from nascent aircraft and balloons performing the primary protection role . The interwar years yielded advancements and innovations with respect to air defense with major ground and air studies accomplished at Langley Field, Virginia, and Maxwell Field, Alabama . The changes to aerial capabilities and resultant threats changed throughout World War II and the Korean conflict . The birth of an independent Air Force in 1947 resulted in many specific changes, to include the development of Air Defense Command .
