Faithful to a proud heritage on USAF’s 65th Anniversary

  • Published
  • By Col. Darren Sprunk
  • 570th Contingency Response Group commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  In case you missed it, last month one of our country's World War II Airmen, 2nd Lt. Samuel Smith, received the coveted Distinguished Flying Cross nearly 70 years after his service.

He was recognized for successfully recovering his crew and crippled B-17 Flying Fortress after the undercarriage and landing gear were damaged by German anti-aircraft fire on one of 24 bombing missions over Europe. Even more miraculous was the skillful ability to immediately clear the bomber from the runway in order to permit multiple trailing aircraft to safely recover, saving numerous lives.

To better appreciate the Airmen of Smith's era, it was routine for new crews to launch with negligible flying time or training, join 800- to 1,000-plane formations and be led by a 22-year-old mission commander. More than 88,000 Airmen courageously took to the blue and gray skies to advance freedom over tyranny and died in both combat and noncombat events during WWII alone. The challenges faced by World War I Airmen in the infancy of flight were no less daunting, as was the case with each successive conflict as weapon systems and the operating environments became more complex.

This week, we celebrate 65 incredible years as our nation's Air Force. While relatively young in terms of military history, we are part of something magnificent because of our rich heritage, as well as our brilliant future. From inception to the present day, we have remained globally respected by our allies and feared by our adversaries, yet the pioneering spirit of our forefathers is easily traced much earlier than Sept. 18, 1947.

In 1907, the U.S. Army Signal Corps established its first aeronautical division, which comprised of 118 personnel and 31 aircraft. In 1913, the U.S. Army Signal Corps created the 1st Aeronautical Squadron with only 53 members and eight aircraft. It was later renamed the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron and currently resides at nearby Beale AFB.

Looking to the future, there are exciting times. We have restructured our forces and budgets to make us more agile than ever before. Similarly, the competitive nature and quality of individuals commissioned and enlisted is at an all-time high. Conversely, our adversaries and potential challengers provide no room to rest on past glories as they quickly adapt and ceaselessly probe for information.

United on the anniversary of President Harry S. Truman's signing of the National Security Act of 1947, we collectively pause to remember the spirit which broke free from earth's bond. We honor the sacrifices of those who journeyed into unforgiving heavens to defend our freedom. We toast the courage of the men and women who tirelessly created the greatest Air Force the world has ever known.

May the spirit, sacrifice and courage displayed in the Airmen such as Smith burn brightly in each of us so our legacy is one of valor to guide future generations of Airmen through the next 65 years.