Vice commander: Happy 62nd birthday Air Force

  • Published
  • By Col. Fred Stoss
  • 90th Missile Wing vice commander
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Col. Greg Tims, 90th Missile Wing commander, passed the baton to me for this week's Sentinel article. As timing would have it, today marks the U.S. Air Force's 62nd birthday, so this week's topic was all too obvious for me to write a short message on. 

This anniversary provides a great opportunity to reflect on the lineage of the USAF. If we do not know where we came from, it is difficult to know where we are heading. 

You may recall the USAF's creation was mandated by the National Security Act of 1947. The act made several other notable improvements to America's security establishment by reorganizing what eventually became known as the Department of Defense, formally establishing the Joint Chiefs of Staff, creating the Central Intelligence Agency, as well as enhancing executive branch national decision making processes. 

It was very poignant that President Harry Truman was in his presidential aircraft, "Sacred Cow," later coined as "Air Force One," when he signed the National Security Act of 1947. 

So why did the U.S. government decide to create a separate branch for aviation forces? 

Simply put, America learned many lessons from World War II concerning combat operations, to include the conduct of war from the air. Before the war began, several countries recognized the need for a separate "air arm" to specialize in aviation combat and support operations to include Britain, Germany and the Soviet Union, whereas the United States elected to not have a separate air branch. 

To be frank, the United States drug its feet on realizing the full potential of airpower -- General Billy Mitchell's insight into the future conduct of war went unheeded. But America quickly learned its lesson, and Army Air Forces as well as naval aviation established a brilliant record of support to ground-centric operations as well as conducting deep strikes against our enemies. The losses incurred by the Army Air Forces were significant, but the combat power they provided to the overall war effort was tremendous. 

The advantages of robust air power were undeniable following World War II. It bears noting that the supreme weapon of the war, the atomic bomb, was dropped by 20th Air Force B-29s, ending the war against Japan in August 1945. The need for an independent Air Force became apparent. 

Sixty-two years from today, the U.S. Air Force became the pre-eminent air-power in the world and continues to hold this prestigious title to this very day! 

The USAF's initial mission was to organize, train and equip aviation forces for prompt and sustained offensive and defensive air operations not covered by the other services. The newly established USAF quickly developed innovative solutions to ensure it retained the leading edge in airpower. 

By the way, this innovative culture laid the foundation for the USAF's vision to secure responsibility for the development and deployment of ICBMs. 

This missile legacy thrives today in the 90th Missile Wing. Our Airmen, the most important "weapon system" in the USAF, operate, maintain, secure and support the ultimate guarantor of America's freedom via the Minuteman III, as well as directly supporting combat operations downrange. 

It is important for all Airmen to understand the significance of the USAF's history. Perhaps because we are the most recent branch in America's armed forces and our historical record barely spans half a century. I believe we tend to not reflect enough on our lineage. I also believe we sometimes have a tradition of breaking traditions, as we tend to change our uniforms, symbols, etc. every few years instead of retaining our legacies. 

Let's remedy this and incorporate our proud heritage into our Air Force culture. The upcoming 50th anniversary of the ICBM, which will be held at F.E. Warren will provide yet another opportunity to learn of our past so as to better fortify us for the future. 

I encourage all Airmen to remember the sacrifices of Airmen past and present as we celebrate our 62nd anniversary. I am sure our predecessors, wherever they may be, are proud of our accomplishments, as we too are proud of their sacrifices and successes!