Toolbox - Air

The United States Air Force traces the history of its Inspector General (IG) function back to the American Army of 1778. Throughout the years, the Army IG essentially served as the "eyes and ears" of its senior military leaders by being an inspector, investigator, teacher and reporter. The creation of the US Air Force from US Army-Air Forces in September 1947 included a similar oversight activity with a primary focus on aviation activities. General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the Air Force Chief of Staff, officially established the Air Force function in January 1948. He outlined the IG's mission as: determining the combat and logistic effectiveness of the Air Force, insuring the maintenance of discipline and security, and investigating matters involving crime and other violations of public trust.