September 18th

On September 18, 1947 the United States Air Force was formed as a separate branch of the military, it was initially born as the United States Army Air Corps. It was the last branch of the U.S. military to be formed. The role of the USAF is "To provide sovereign options for the defense of the United States and its global interests. To fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace" Currently, over 320,000 active personnel serve this branch of our military.

Air Force Motto: Above All

The purpose of the United States Air Force:
* To preserve the peace and security, and provide for the defense, of the United States, the Territories, Commonwealths, and possessions, and any areas occupied by the United States
* To support national policy
* To implement national objectives
* To overcome any nations responsible for aggressive acts that imperil the peace and security of the United States

Air Force Core Values:
*Integrity First
*Service Before Self
*Excellence In All We Do


There are 101 Air Force bases in the United States and Guam of various configurations; Bases, test /training facilities, etc. This includes the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.

In the armed services, a military cadence or cadence call is a traditional call-and-response work song sung by military personnel while running or marching. In the United States, these cadences are sometimes called jody calls or jodies.

While at Lackland AFB for John's BMT graduation, he sang a variation of this Jody to me:

Mama, Mama can't you see

What the Air Force done to me

Mama, Mama can't you see

What the Air Force done to me

Whoa, Whoa

Used to drive a Chevrolet

Now I'm marchin' everyday

Whoa, Whoa

Used to eat at Burger King

Now I drink from my canteen

Whoa, Whoa

Used to eat at Dairy Queen

Now I tote my M-16

Whoa, Whoa

Used to drive a Subaru

Now I'm wearin' Air Force blue

Whoa, Whoa

Standin' tall and lookin' good

We should be in Hollywood