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September 22, 2009
Happy 62nd Birthday To Our US Air Force September 18th
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The United States Air Force, the youngest of the Armed Forces, a happy 62nd birthday!
Prior to its official founding in 1947, the U.S. military’s air component existed from 1909 under multiple labels such as: Aeronautical Section, Signal Corps, Aviation Section, Signal Corps, United States Army Air Service, United States Army Air Corps, and United States Army Air Forces.
World War II demonstrated the true value of aircraft to the military, and on July 26, 1947, President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947, creating the National Military Establishment. The United States Air Force officially stood up as a separate military component, equal to that of the other services, with the swearing in of the first Secretary of the Air Force, W. Stuart Symington.
Happy 62nd Air Force, and thank you for your service.
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CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- Members of the Sather Air Base honor guard post the colors while more than 200 servicemembers stand at attention during the opening of the Air Force's 62nd birthday celebration held at the Al Faw palace here Sept. 18, 2009. Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, Air Force Central Command commander, was in attendance as well as Maj. Gen. Joseph Reynes Jr., Air Component Coordination Element director, who served as the keynote speaker for the evening. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq
More than 200 servicemembers attended a ceremony celebrating the Air Force's 62nd birthday at Al Faw palace here Sept. 18, 2009.
Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, Air Force Central Command commander, was in attendance as well as Maj. Gen. Joseph Reynes Jr., Air Component Coordination Element director, who served as the keynote speaker for the night.
Upon arrival at the palace, attendees mingled during a social time before proceeding to the ball room for the official ceremony.
For Fairfield, Calif., native Senior Airman Jessica Trackwell, Task Force 134 Detainee Operations executive assistant, the birthday celebration was on opportunity for those in uniform to interact outside of a work environment.
"These events help boost morale of the Airmen out here," said Airman Trackwell, who is deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. "We get to come together and get to know one another and remember what the Air Force is all about."
Although the atmosphere was light, General Reynes pointed out the seriousness of the event and said there is probably no better place to celebrate the Air Force birthday than at Al Faw Palace with the "great joint team" in attendance.
"Celebrating the United States Air Force's birthday provides Airmen an opportunity to reflect on the exceptional men and women who have built our heritage and to look forward to the challenges that lie ahead," General Reynes said. "Today some Airmen will learn about the history of the Air Force and others will experience a renewed sense of pride. We should all take a moment to remember and honor our history and those who answered our nation's call. We are their legacy."
With another year of service to the United States under its wings, the Air Force will continue its mission to fly, fight and win.
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BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan
Hundreds of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines celebrated the 62nd Air Force birthday with tradition, solidarity and a show of force Sept. 18 here.
A reveille ceremony was held at 6 a.m.at the base flag poles in Camp Cunningham, named after Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham, an Air Force pararescueman who gave his life in Afghanistan in March 2002 while saving 10 wounded Army Soldiers.
"While we're celebrating the Air Force's 62nd birthday it is important to remember that we're involved in a joint fight serving the Army and other Coalition ground forces bringing this counterinsurgency to an end in Afghanistan," said Brig. Gen. Steven L. Kwast, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander. "What a fine way to celebrate our heritage; we came from the Army (and) we have the same foundations. We celebrate that heritage by fighting together with our sister services and coalition partners. We're bringing freedom and liberty to this part of the world by taking care of the insurgents' sanctuary to where they cannot run and they cannot hide."
Both coalition members and other American servicemembers said they were thankful for the Air Force's support and efforts for their troops on the ground and in contact with the enemy.
"We have a great working relationship with your pilots and the close-air support we receive from you has no limitations," said Polish Army Lt. Col. Slawomir Warnbier.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Wright of the 101st Airborne from Fort Campbell, Ky., echoed Colonel Warnbier's sentiments about the Air Force's role in Afghanistan.
"The Air Force airdrops are providing needed support to Soldiers in the field; getting people and parts to our guys in the (forward operating bases) and in the mountains," Mr. Wright said. The Air Force is doing a great job and it's great to have them out here."
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Wild Thing's comment.....
I am a few days late for this and I apologize. It is the first time that has happened. grrr
HUGE Happy Birthday and a bigger thank you to our US Air Force!!! Love the Air Force, heck I love all of them.
God bless the USAF, buand also to o the US Army Air Corps. They started it all heh heh and thank God they did!
......Thank you SSGT Steve
SSgt Steve
1st MarDiv, H Co., 2nd Bn, 5th Marine Regiment
2/5 Marines, Motto: "Retreat, Hell"
VN 66-67
Posted by Wild Thing at September 22, 2009 05:55 AM
Comments
Posted by: BobF at September 22, 2009 07:28 AM
Just imagine what our Founding Fathers would think of the Air Force! Ben Franklin would be it's staunchest supporter, no doubt!
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: yankeemom at September 22, 2009 08:16 AM
I agree yankeemom. Beats flying kites. My Dad was a medic attached to the flying tigers in WWII and it was the army air corp.
Posted by: Bob A at September 22, 2009 08:20 AM
Happy Birthday USAF, we vets of all services salute and appreciate what you do, you are awsome.
Posted by: cuchieddie(former Army Infantry) at September 22, 2009 10:13 AM
Happy Birthday USAF, maybe Obama doesn't appreciate you but we veterans do.
Posted by: Jack at September 22, 2009 12:46 PM
Happy Birthday Zoomies! We appreciate your more than outstanding support.
Posted by: TomR at September 22, 2009 01:42 PM
Happy Birthday USAF! I took great pride in our Air Force when I lived near Elmendorf AFB. During the cold war you would see a couple of jets take off and head in a northeast direction. Figured they had to chase some Soviets back out of Alaska airspace as they were sometimes moving very fast. B52's were a common sight too. Awesome weaponry.
Posted by: Jim at September 22, 2009 03:28 PM
Basic training at Lackland AFB in 1977... Myrtle Beach AFB in South Carolina ('GO UGLY EARLY' A-10 Thunderbolt Support Mission) 1978-1980... SPangdahlem Air Base (F-4 Phantom USAFE Mission)
1980-1982... and C-5 Galaxy loadmaster duty at Dover AFB from 1982-1997! Remember when AIR POWER was lethal and IN THE GAME? I remember those GOOD OLD DAYS! Seen any AIR POWER or B-52 bomber action lately?
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at September 22, 2009 03:58 PM
Happy Birthday Air Force. Keep up the good work. Oh thats right my nephew's in the Air Force, I keep forgetting about him. He just finished his second tour in Iraq. God Bless him and all these young troopers.
Posted by: Mark at September 22, 2009 04:33 PM
Darth, I spent 13 years on B-52's at Griffiss and Wurtsmith. Nothing would get your blood pumping like a Klaxton going off with an "Elephant" walk and having the G Models hit water as they entered the active. Nothing like fixing a broken bomber at a Northern Tier base in sub-zero weather.
Posted by: BobF at September 22, 2009 06:22 PM
BobF., thank you for the video.
And thank you everyone.
Posted by: Wild Thing at September 23, 2009 12:18 AM
