United States Air Force Scientific Advisory Board

The United States Air Force Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) is a military unit that provides forecasts of long-range science and technology.

Scientific Advisory Board Chairmen 1944–1954: Dr. Theodore von Kármán (Chairman Emeritus −1963) 1955–58 Dr. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle, Maj Gen 1962–64: Dr. H. Guyford Stever 1982–86 Dr. Eugene E. Covert 1995–96 Dr. Gene McCall

Scientific Advisory Board Military Directors 1944–1946: Gen Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold 1946–47: Maj Gen Curtis E. Lemay 1947–1948: Lt Gen Laurence Craigie 1948–52,54- : Maj Gen Donald L. Putt

Chronology

 * 1944 – 6/7 August: Arnold met with Theodore von Kármán on the LaGuardia airport tarmac to request he head the Army Air Force Long Range Development Program. Similar to his establishment of the Bell/GE jet engine team in 1941, the establishment of the advisory program was totally secret.
 * 1944 – 23 October: von Kármán designated AAF consultant on scientific matters.
 * 1944 – 7 November: Arnold provided official written instructions for the AAF Consulting Board for Future Research (AAFCBFR) formed (renamed Army Air Force Science Advisory Group, SAG on 1 December)
 * Original members: Dr. Theodore von Kármán, Dr. Ivan A. Getting, Mr. Chester Hasert
 * 1944 – 23 November: Karman's first report published for the SAG


 * 1945 – 1 May: The "von Kármán mission" the SAG portion – a small part of Operation Lusty – arrived in Paris to inspect enemy laboratories and included Hugh Dryden (deputy), H. Guyford Stever (in place of Dr. L. Dubridge who was unavailable), H. S. Tsien
 * 1945 – 13 July: von Kármán met Arnold in Paris after having traveled Europe
 * 1945 – 30 July: Summary of von Karman memo (initial report) to Arnold documenting SAG's travel's to that point.


 * 1946 – 6 February: last formal meeting of the AAF SAG, with Meritorious Civilian Service Awards presented to members
 * 1946 – 17 June: first meeting of the newly formed Scientific Advisory Board
 * "It was the clamor of ICBM development which finally established the Scientific Advisory Board as an independent entity"


 * 1946 – 29 August: Scientific Advisory Board forwarded its first set of program recommendations to General Spaatz.

Scientific Advisory Board Commemoration Speakers Dr. Eugene E. Covert Gen Ronald R. Fogleman Mr. Harry Hillaker Dr. Robert G. Loewy Dr. Hans Mark Dr. Courtland D. Perkins Gen. Bernard A. Schriever Dr. Sheila E. Widnall
 * 1948 – 14 May: Scientific Advisory Board charter (AFR 20–30) approved by Spaatz-Karman


 * 1949 – 11 July: Ridenour Committee first meeting prior to touring/reviewing Air Force facilities
 * 1949 – 21 September: Ridenour/Doolittle Report approved
 * 1949 – 3 November: Scientific Advisory Board Special Committee meeting


 * 1953: Scientific Advisory Board Nuclear Weapons Panel (von Neumann committee) formed after the November 1952 "Mike shot"
 * 1953 – 30 March: Scientific Advisory Board Executive Committee meeting


 * 1960s: Scientific Advisory Board studies initiated to examine satellite navigation.


 * 1994 – 9–10 November: USAF Scientific Advisory Board Commemorative History
 * 1995 – 15 December: USAF science and technology forecast New World Vistas briefing of draft report (SECAF conference room)

Notes and references

 * When named the military director of the Scientific Advisory Board, Craigies was the commander of the newly established Directorate of Research and Development
 * Dr Ivan Getting resigned from the Scientific Advisory Board in 1947 "because you the SAB weren't doing anything" "Scweinhund" muttered von Karman
 * In addition to Speakers, numerous interviews were conducted for the 50th Anniversary of the Scientific Advisory Board.


 * Citations