Patriot Perspective
Open Thread: Air Force Birthday
Relentlessly committed to the defense of liberty, the United States Air Force celebrates its 65th birthday today, Sept. 18. The Air Force began life as the Army Air Corps but became a separate Armed Services Branch when the Department of the Air Force was created by the National Security Act of 1947. As the U.S. Air Force continues its critical mission "to fly, fight and win ... in air, space and cyberspace," we ask that you pray for these brave Patriots prosecuting "The Long War" against Jihadistan, and for their families awaiting their safe return.
17 Comments
Anton D Rehling in Olympia, WA
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 4:14 AM
My Dad was top turret gunner in a B17 Liberator WWII with Army Air Corps. After WWII he stayed out till Korea and rejoined for Korea, and remained till he returned from His tour of Duty in Vietnam in 1965. 21 years of service. RIP Dad I thank you for your service and miss you.
Rod in USA
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 8:58 AM
Too bad it did not stay as the Army Air Corps.
Thank you for your father's service!
Airman in Va
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 11:20 AM
Well I have served just about 7 years in the Air Force. After working in and around the Army. I am happy to say the Air Force is better. Though my father was in the Army I know understand that both services are good and have different mission sets. The Air Force has allowed me to get two degrees and soon a masters. Thank you to all services
Anton D Rehling in Olympia, WA
Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 4:45 AM
I depended upon the airforce to get me off the ground safetly on C-141 and C130 so I could jump, Unlike my Dad I only spent one enlistment with the 82nd airborne.
ELL in unspecified, Afghanistan
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 9:27 AM
Rehling,
I thank your dad for his service and blazing the trail begining to establish us as the force we are today. May he rest in peace, and thanks once again.
Rod,
Just why do you say its too bad "it did not stay as the Army Air Corps?" What's wrong with the United States Air Force!?!
Janie in Oregon
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 1:59 PM
My grandson is serving in the USAF..so proud of his service to our country and a special shout out to Retired CMSgt Juan Lewis for his dedication and commitment to continuing his campaign to these heroes to keep them fired up and full of pep!Hooyah!To the Fired Up Chief!
Dale in Colorado Springs
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 2:46 PM
My late father in law was a top turret gunner on B-17's. Got shot down on his 2nd mission & spent 9 months as a guest of the Nazis. Managed to escape and was picked up by British armor as he evaded. After a year recuperating (he weighed just over 80 pound when the Brits picked him up) he stayed in for 22 years, retiring as a CMSgt. I too spent 22 years in the AF flying fighters. I too would like to know why Rod thinks it should have stayed the Army Air Corps? P.S. my Dad served 32 years in the Army and gave me and my brother (11 years in the Marines flying fighters) our oaths of commission.
Janie in Oregon
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 4:57 PM
Thanks for your service Dale,your father-in-law,and your dad...my brother served in Navy,my sons in Army and Marine Corp,my hubby in Navy and his dad in Navy...thanks to all our servicemen and women!
Wayne in Belen, NM
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 4:29 PM
When I enlisted in the Air Force, it had just turned 25 years old. That was back in '72. I retired in '93 - almost 20 years ago. Now I'm a government contractor with the Air Force at Kirtland AFB. It's been a very good life.
USMC4X4 in VA
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 5:50 PM
Happy Birthday, Airmen!
ELL in unspecified, Afghanistan
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 10:47 PM
My time in the Air Force so far has been great!!! Thanks everyone for sharing stories of loved ones' service contributions. Its a bit of a pick me up and I hope my children will tell stories of my service one day. All branches of the US Armed Forces have a job to do, and I must say, we all do it well.
Son of Liberty in Colorado
Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Congrats to all my brothers in arms in the Air Force. I was Naval Aviation myself, so I enjoyed being on "the tip of the spear" a lot. Air Force always had better food than we did. I found that out when we were on detachment to Alamogordo AFB in New Mexico and to Nellis AFB in Nevada. We had the better pilots though. ;^)
Dale in Colorado Springs
Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Janie, Thanks to your loved ones for their service as well. To add to my list of family members who served. My grandfathers in WWI, one with the USA, the other with the Wiltshire Regiment (Royal Infantry) in India. My Mom served in the Royal Artillery in WWII as part of a AAA unit -- all woman unit, they shot at German airplanes and she was deployed onto the Continent prior to VE Day!
Dale in Colorado Springs
Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Son of Liberty, At least we AF pilots didn't land our aircraft on the roof! ;)
Robert in Morris
Friday, September 21, 2012 at 12:45 PM
My Father was a member of the 312th Bomb Group (Light) 5th Army Airforce. To this day he believes that the Airforce should have stayed part of the Army. And it should have. No one evers surrenders to a aijrplane
SFJ in ALABAMA
Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 8:18 PM
As a 42 year veteran of Army/USAF (enlisted combat veteran, contractor and now civil servant), I can tell everyone the USAF that everyone celebrates is no more. The officers are running scared and are sooooo PC correct. The enlisted force is a farce. They call themselves "warriors" - what a load od crap. The senior civil servants (managers?) are too stupid to manage a fruit stand. Wake up folks - the military is as weak as it was after WWI. We are a hollow force incapable of sustaining any kind of long-term engagement. We are obsessed with gays, civil rights, affirmative action promotions and other foolish programs that have nothing to do with fighting a war. So clap your hands and wave the flag for this hollow military that "guards" the US.
Billvolz in Glenside, pa
Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 3:35 PM
The Marines are there still! The Air Force, almost the Military but with recess and Nap time!