Post-Vietnam Era and the end of the Cold War

Question 1

When did President Nixon end the draft in favor of an all-volunteer American military?

Answer 1

1973

Question 2

Who is the fonder of Red Flag. First F-15 Eagle squadron commander? The driving force behind Checkmate, the Air Force think tank for wartime scenarios?

Answer 2

Col. Richard “Moody” Suter

Question 3

What program revolutionized Air Force training and, according to senior leaders at the time, resulted in a program that made the US Air Force the premier air arm of the world?

Answer 3

Red Flag

Question 4

Which stealth fighter featured detection avoidance?

Answer 4

F-117 Nighthawk

Question 5

Which aircraft did the Air Force procure in the 1970s to make deep air attacks on an enemy army to isolate it on the battlefield, conduct battlefield air interdiction to prevent enemy reinforcements from reaching the front, disrupt the movement of secondary forces to the front, and provide close air support to Army ground forces?

Answer 5

A-10 Thunderbolt II

Question 6

What was the name of the April 1980 attempt to rescue American hostages from the United States embassy in Iran, which ended in disaster at the Desert One refueling site?

Answer 6

Operation Rice Bowl

Question 7

In which Oct 1983 operation did American forces rescue American students and restore order to Grenada?

Answer 7

Operation Urgent Fury

Question 8

Which operation, in April 1986, did President Reagan mobilize England-based F-111s to strike Libya?

Answer 8

Operation Eldorado Canyon

Question 9

In which 1989 operation did the Air Force primarily airlift troops and supplies, but also debut the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter, which flew psychological operations missions with an AC-130 Spectre Gunship, intimidating Panamanian troops loyal to dictator Manuel Noriega?

Answer 9

Operation Just Cause

Question 10

What was the first attempt at a space-based long-rang missile attack detection and warning system?

Answer 10

The Missile Defense Alarm System

Question 11

What was the low-cost, automated nuclear detection satellite constellation developed by the Advanced Research Projects Agency called?

Answer 11

Vela Hotel nuclear detection program

Question 12

What treaty did the US and the Soviet Socialist Republics sign on 26 May 1972, limiting each country to two Anti-Ballistic Missile sites.

Answer 12

Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty

Question 13

What treaty limited the number of nuclear weapons, with the objective of obtaining a verified freeze on the numerical growth and destabilizing characteristic of each sides strategic nuclear forces?

Answer 13

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty

Question 14

What was the Air Force’s initial military weather satellite system known as?

Answer 14

Defense Satellite Applications Program

Question 15

What program, launched 16 June 1966, was one of the earliest Air Force satellite communications systems?

Answer 15

Initial Defense Satellite Communications Program

Question 16

What treaty signed in December 1987 eliminated medium-range nuclear missiles, including United States Air Force ground-launched cruise missiles?

Answer 16

The Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

Question 17

In which treaty signed by the US and the Soviet Union in July 1991 would the Air Force reduce arms to 6,000 total warheads on deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine launched ballistic missiles, and heavy bombers?

Answer 17

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty I

Question 18

What treaty, signed in 1993, would reduce total deployed warheads up to a range of 3,500 nautical miles?

Answer 18

Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty II