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60th Anniversary message to Airmen

  • Published
  • Michael W. Wynne, Secretary of the Air Force and Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff
WASHINGTON --  Sixty years ago today the Air Force became an independent Service. Three days before becoming the first Secretary of the Air Force, W. Stuart Symington noted in his address to the inaugural convention of the Air Force Association, "No Air Force can be created by legislative action alone. All the National Security Act of 1947 has done is to give us the green light. It must be considered an opportunity and not an accomplishment." Since that time, courageous Airmen have pushed the limits of imagination and technology to fight and win the Nation's wars.

This anniversary gives us an opportunity to reflect on where we have been in just over a century of powered flight and just over five decades of rocketry and access to space. Today we also honor the extraordinary achievements and gallant sacrifices America's Airmen have made in the defense of freedom. Born of the revolutionary ideas of military aviation and rocketry and forged in the fire of combat throughout the wars of the twentieth century, a handful of visionary pioneers helped shape the most dominant Air Force the world has ever known.

Today, our innovative, warfighting culture shines through as close to 700.000 Airmen - including our Active Duty, Civilians, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve - continue to answer our Nation's call. Of those Airmen, over 235,000 are assigned to our global Combat Commanders, defending this great Nation through the operating of domains of air, space and cyberspace. Over 35,000 Airmen are currently deployed to 120 locations around the world fighting the Global War on Terrorism.

Yet, while we are fighting today's war we are also transforming our Service to meet tomorrow's emerging threats. We are modernizing and recapitalizing our force. New aircraft, such as the F-22, F-35, new CSAR helicopter, and replacement air refueling tanker will ensure our edge in the air domain. We are also helping to maintain our technological lead in space by replacing our strategic communication and early warning satellite systems. Likewise, we are aggressively pursuing options that will position us to dominate cyberspace. These vital efforts aim to give the Joint warfighting team critical advantages in the air, space, and cyberspace. They foster Air Force cross-domain dominance - the ability to project power and create decisive and lethal effects through the air, space, cyberspace, and against other targets on the ground and at sea. They provide our Nation with sovereign options

While the Air Force is a technically-oriented Service, it is our Airmen that make our Air Force great. While we mark this milestone in Air Force history, we congratulate each of you. Total Force Airmen of the U.S. Air Force past, present, and future can take pride in their roles in the Air Force's success. Your service, dedication, and sacrifice guarantee our ability to Fly, Fight, Win for America today and into the future.