The U.S. Air Force was established in 1947 and has achieved incredible feats in its relatively brief history. As we celebrate the USAF’s birthday on September 18, we're taking a moment to reflect on its vital role in national defense, and more importantly, the dedicated people who make it all possible.
For every military deployment that takes Airmen far from home, there’s also the joy of a military homecoming, reminding us of the sacrifice and resilience of service members and their families.
From Signal Corps to Global Air Power
Evolving from its roots in the Signal Corps, Army Air Service, Air Corps, and Army Air Forces, the USAF has become the world’s premier air power, with a mission of "Fly, fight, and win... airpower anytime, anywhere." Airmen also play essential roles in humanitarian missions, intelligence, research, logistics, security, and more, serving with dedication across the globe.
The Air Force includes over 689,000 personnel and is committed to five core functions: air superiority; global strike; rapid global mobility; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and command and control.
As the current Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin states, "Simply put, we deter and defeat aggression to defend and protect our nation and its interests."
Here’s a glimpse at some of the amazing things the Air Force is accomplishing these days.
All photos and captions courtesy www.af.mil media. Learn more about the U.S. Air Force.
The Air Force in Action
F-35 Makes History in Finland
A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath, U.K., made history by landing on a highway strip during the exercise BAANA 2024, Sept. 4, 2024, on Hosio Highway Strip, Ranua, Finland. During the exercise, the U.S. Air Force collaborated with NATO allies to adapt, innovate and strengthen our collective defense. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Scyrrus Corregidor)
F-22 Raptor Over Southwest Asia
An F-22 Raptor pilot from the 94th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, flies behind a 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron KC-10 Extender over Southwest Asia. The F-22 possesses a sophisticated sensor suite allowing the pilot to track, identify, shoot and kill air-to-air threats before being detected. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ross A. Whitley)
Alaska Pararescue Operations
An Alaska Air National Guard pararescueman from the 212th Rescue Squadron lands after conducting airborne operations at Malemute Drop Zone at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 9, 2024. The Guardsmen of the 212th RQS and the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron tactical air control party special warfare Airmen conducted joint airborne training to maintain the pararescuemen’s proficiency in conducting full-spectrum personnel recovery to include both conventional and unconventional rescue operations and the TACP’s to direct lethal and nonlethal joint firepower whenever necessary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Nicholas Holland)
Thunderbirds Airshow Performance
Four F-16 Fighting Falcons, part of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Demonstration Team, fly in formation during the Frontiers in Flight Open House and Airshow at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. The Thunderbirds were officially activated June 1, 1953, as the 3600th Air Demonstration Team at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jenna K. Caldwell)
Ground and Support Roles
Senior Airman Brandon M. Acks, 179th Airlift Wing Maintenance Group crew chief, refills a C-130H Hercules with liquid oxygen at Mansfield, Ohio. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Alexis Wade)
Staff Sgt. Iane Gallardo, 801st Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers Training Squadron pest management cadre, observes a compact track loader during a Rapid Airfield Damage Recovery training exercise at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., July 31, 2024. The training exercise involved Airmen assessing damage, clearing debris and repairing the runway with an eight-hour time limit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zeeshan Naeem)
Airmen assess airfield damage during a rapid airfield damage recovery training exercise at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., July 31, 2024. RADR training has Airmen assess the extent of airfield damage and run through various steps to restore the airfield to a fully functional state. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zeeshan Naeem)
Refueling Missions
A 452nd Air Mobility Wing C-17 Globemaster III receives fuel from a 912th Aerial Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker during a refueling mission over Arizona. The 912th ARS is responsible for providing essential mission extending capabilities through refueling services. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jordan Castelan)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Craig Oliver, left, 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flying crew chief, and Staff Sgt. Jacob Ebberts, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron petroleum, oils, and lubricants technician, hot pit refuel a KC-135 Stratotanker during Exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3 in Victorville, Calif., Aug. 7, 2024. Hot pit refueling involves supplying an aircraft with fuel while its engines are running to expedite the turnaround time needed to relaunch the aircraft. Bamboo Eagle focuses on mission readiness by delivering cross-functional and lethal combat capabilities with speed and agility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Cook)
Special Tactics in South Korea
A U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron conducts a military freefall jump out of an MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 1st Special Operations Squadron over Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, July 23, 2024. Air Force Special Operations Command Airmen participated in a variety of training events during a three-week joint combined exchange training event involving special operations partner forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Johnson)
Global Flyovers and International Presence
A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress, assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing, participates in a flyover at Farnborough International Airshow in Farnborough, United Kingdom, July 24, 2024. FIA is an opportunity for the U.S. military to come together with U.K. and NATO allies and partners to display the dynamic capabilities of various aircraft and highlight collective readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katie Mullikin)
Airman 1st Class Myshanique Jones a member of the Travis Air Force Base Honor Guard holds the Air Force flag during the 75th Anniversary kickoff celebration at Travis AFB, Calif., Feb. 8, 2018. The celebration featured the inaugural unveiling of the 75th Anniversary logo on a C-17 Globemaster III. Travis is celebrating 75 years as a major strategic logistics hub for the Pacific and integral part of global power projection for the total force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joey Swafford)
Red Flag Exercises
A B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron takes off at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 25, 2024, while participating in exercise Red Flag 24-3. Red Flag trains Airmen and Guardians on strategy, force design and adversary warfighting for the purpose of building a force that will reduce Air Force vulnerabilities, capitalize on strengths and exploit adversaries’ weaknesses. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yendi Borjas)
An Airman assigned to the 28th Maintenance Group signals a B-1B Lancer to brake on the taxiway at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., July 23, 2024, in support of exercise Red Flag 24-3. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)
Final Flight
A U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron flies along the coast of the Izu Peninsula, Japan, July 8, 2024. The C-130J was the second aircraft in a two-ship formation for the final flight of Col. Andrew Roddan as the 374th Airlift Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natalie Doan)
Honoring the People Behind the Mission
From refueling missions to humanitarian aid, and from combat readiness to rapid airfield recovery, the U.S. Air Force continues to prove its unmatched capabilities. Just as important are the families who endure the highs and lows of service—standing strong through the challenges of PCS moves and deployments, while celebrating reunions and homecomings.
Happy birthday, U.S. Air Force!
Stay up-to-date with more information for your military life:
