What was the Military Assistance Program?
Following World War II relations between the Soviet Union and the USA deteriated quickly. The Soviet ambitions of spreading communism throughout the world were vehemently opposed by the US and its allies and as a result the Cold War began. On October 6, 1949 President Harry S. Truman signed the Mutual Defense Assistance Act, of which the Mutual Assistance Program was part, which permitted the release of military resources to foreign powers who met the specific conditions prescribed by law. Unlike the Lend-Lease agreement used during the war there would be no requirement for any re-payment by the country receiving the aid, instead the military assistance provided would only be used to support the aims and anti-communism policies of the US Government.
In time the Mutual Assistance Program would became known as the Military Assistance Program.
SInce 1949 many aircraft, along with newly manufactured aircraft and aircraft drawn from US operational status, have been regenerated from the storage facility at Tucson for inclusion in the program.