For 75 years, American Airmen have excelled as they execute the Air Force mission to fly, fight, and win — delivering airpower anytime, anywhere in defense of our nation.

Airmen are called to “Innovate, Accelerate and Thrive” as the U.S. Air Force and Department of the Air Force approach their 75th anniversaries on Sept. 18, 2022. Airmen will always be there to provide America with the airpower it needs to defend the nation, deter or defeat our adversaries, reassure our partners and allies, and help diplomacy proceed from a position of strength.

Commentary: Lessons from our past – Claire Chennault on Agile Combat Employment

As the Air Force leans into Agile Combat Employment, lessons can be learned from Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers and how they operated in China during WWII.

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AF 75th Birthday INNOVATE

Innovation, fueled by Airmen, is our heritage. Airmen continue to push technological and cultural boundaries which make America the leader in airpower and spacepower. Innovation is an integral part of how we train and employ our squadrons, develop our capabilities, and continue to move toward an even more effective Air Force.

AF 75th Birthday Accelerate

From their inception 75 years ago, the U.S. Air Force and Department of the Air Force have excelled at keeping pace with rapid changes in technology and in the demands placed on the Air Force’s five core missions: air superiority; global strike; rapid global mobility; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and command and control.

AF 75th Birthday Thrive

We are the world’s greatest Air Force because of those who have gone before us – particularly those who weren’t afraid to break barriers. Empowered Airmen are the competitive edge we have over our adversaries and the reason we are the world’s greatest Air Force.

Air Force 75th Anniversary Commemorative Poster: Air Force Firsts

Air Force 75th Anniversary Poster: The Doolittle Raid - 1940s Era

Air Force 75th Anniversary Poster: Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. - 1950s Era

Air Force 75th Anniversary Poster: Flight of the Blackbird - 1960s era

Air Force 75th Anniversary Poster: Apollo 15 - 1970s era

Air Force 75th Anniversary Poster: B-52 Stratofortress - 1980s era

Air Force 75th Anniversary Poster: Stealth War - 1990s era

Air Force 75th Anniversary Poster: Dominate the Skies – 2000s era

Air Force 75th Anniversary Poster: First Unmanned Flight - 2010s era

Air Force 75th Anniversary Poster: Force of the Future - 2020s Era

Air Force Posters Frontiers of Blue — Air Force Posters Archive

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Video by Courtesy

Veterans in Blue 2017 - Tony Bevacqua

3d Audiovisual Squadron

May 16, 2017 | 2:11

Veterans in Blue is a multimedia collection showcasing men and women who have contributed to the legacy of the Air Force.

Tony Bevacqua joined the Air Force Feb. 29, 1952, with the dream of becoming a pilot. During Bevacqua’s career, he flew a variety of aircraft but spent the majority of his service flying the U-2 and the SR-71. In 1957, he became the 55th person to solo pilot the U-2. In his nine years flying the U-2, he amassed 1,904 hours and flew missions over Vietnam and Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis. In 1966 Bevacqua moved to Beale Air Force Base, California, where he transitioned to flying the SR-71. He was the 158th pilot to fly the SR-71 and flew a total of 738 hours. After 21 years of service, he retired as a lieutenant colonel. Bevacqua remained in the area surrounding Beale AFB, eventually starting a career in real estate. He continues to involve himself in the Air Force community and serves as a member of the Beale AFB Military Liaison Committee.

Created by: 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs, Beale AFB, California

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