On the morning of October 14, 1947 a small, rocket-powered aircraft flew its way into the history books. On that day, the myth of an impenetrable sound barrier was broken and forever changed the way the world viewed powered flight. Over the next 70 years, Air Force pilots would push the limits of speed, testing the boundaries of engines, aerodynamics, and the human body. Since its inception in 1947, the Air Force has consistently broken barriers as an element of the finest joint warfighting team on the planet, and its Airmen have refined its mission through innovation and teamwork.