According to the National Security Act of 1947 (61 Stat. 502), which created the USAF:
In general the United States Air Force shall include aviation forces both combat and service not otherwise assigned. It shall be organized, trained, and equipped primarily for prompt and sustained offensive and defensive air operations. The Air Force shall be responsible for the preparation of the air forces necessary for the effective prosecution of war except as otherwise assigned and, in accordance with integrated joint mobilization plans, for the expansion of the peacetime components of the Air Force to meet the needs of war.
Sixty-Three Years ago, our United States Air Force became a separate military service. Prior to 1947, the responsibility for military aviation was shared between the Army (for land-based operations), the Navy (for sea-based operations from aircraft carriers and amphibious aircraft), and the Marine Corps (for close air support of infantry operations).
Our nation will remain a force to be dealt with, because of our Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marines. The men and women who serve our country are be far the strongest and the bravest. We owe our freedoms to those who served yesterday, who serve today and who will serve tomorrow.
Happy Birthday, United States Air Force!
3 comments:
My dad joined the USAF in 1950. He had taken a half dollar coin and scratched "USAF" on the front.
That coin was stolen many years after he retired...so a few years before he died, I found a 1950 half dollar coin and had "USAF" engraved on the front and gave it to him on the Air Force's birthday.
I never saw him have tears very often...a tough old guy...but that did it.
Hip Hip Hooray for the USAF!!!
Happy Birthday, Air Force! I was proud to serve among the ranks of the proud men and women that joined as well. It was an adventure! God bless our troops that now serve our nation.
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