Happy 65th, Air Force!

A message from the commander of US Transportation Command:

AIR FORCE BIRTHDAY MESSAGE

To the Men and Women of USTRANSCOM:

Sixty five years ago, in the settling smoke following America's victories of

WWII, President Harry Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947,

strengthening our role as a world superpower while defending our liberties

here at home.  Out of the smoke, the United States Air Force was born.  Due

to postwar demobilization, the Air Force began with only a fraction of the

personnel, aircraft and budget of the wartime Army Air Forces.  However, it

did not lack in purpose. 

During WWII, airpower proved itself significant with increased performance,

range and payload, greatly expanding its application as an instrument of

national power.  Airpower also quickly became the Nation's first line of

defense in the atomic age.  When the Cold War began, the Air Force met the

first direct challenge from the Soviet Union by forming a transportation

bridge in the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949.  With incredible perseverance and

ingenuity and more than 200,000 cargo flights - airpower finally broke the

ground blockade. 

Our Airmen have shown generosity in times of peace and gallantry in times of

war.  They've shown tenacity in Korea's MiG Alley, endurance in Vietnam's

Rolling Thunder campaign, decisiveness over the skies of Baghdad during

Desert Storm and flexibility in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Now, sixty five years

after President Truman signed the momentous legislation while onboard Air

Force One, our Air Force stands as the strongest and most innovative in the

world.  

  

Our achievements were made possible because of the extraordinary men and

women who serve and their families who support them.  Your integrity, your

service before self and excellence in all you do have helped America master

the skies.  You've made the world a safer place.

September 18th, we celebrate your legacy of achievement.

-- Happy Birthday US Air Force!

Will Fraser