Historic airpower spans 69 years
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, RANDOLPH—Texas -- "Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turns skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” –Leonardo de Vinci
The world as we know it was forever changed on a historic December morning in 1903, as two brothers successfully controlled and sustained a 12-second flight. Four years later, America was introduced to its first Airmen, 18 pilots, 100 support personnel, and 31 planes, all belonging to the Aeronautical Division of the U.S. Army Signal Corps.
At the height of World War II, the United States had 2.4 million Airmen and 80,000 planes. As airpower was being forever cemented into the rich history of our country, the United States Air Force became the newest armed service on Sept. 18, 1947.
Every major milestone within the last century all had one thing in common; the men and women of the United States Air Force were there leading the charge. Airmen were the first to shatter the sound barrier; Airmen were among the first to walk on the moon; and, Airmen were the first to employ the power of the atom.
Today, Airmen continue to propel forward, finding new milestones to discover and achieve. They lead the way in drone combat; they are the defenders in cyberspace; they have developed technologies that eliminate our nation’s enemies and they deliver humanitarian aid all over the world.
Airmen exemplify the core values of Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in all they do. We honor those who have served in another time, under different circumstances.
We are wingmen; a title synonymous with never leaving a teammate behind.
For 69 years, the men and women of the United States Air Force have exemplified professionalism and air superiority and as the next generation of Airmen raises their right hands in defense of their country, there is no doubt that they will aim higher, fly farther and always win.