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 Kevin Nichols

914 ARW Year-In-Review 2025

914th Air Refueling Wing

Jan. 22, 2026 | 1:47

Mission: Provide Whatever Combat-Ready Forces Needed for global mobility and strategic deterrence.

Vision: One Mission, Global Reach—Whatever, Wherever

The 914th Air Refueling Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York, marked 2025 with significant global deployments, diverse training exercises, key leadership changes, and a commitment to excellence that earned command-level recognition.

A new fin flash to a KC-135 Stratotanker on March 3rd, 2025. The updated design pays tribute to the history of the KC-135 at NFARS and the colors represent those from the 914th ARW wing patch.

A significant portion of the year involved supporting global operations, culminating in the homecoming of nearly 80 Airmen and five KC-135s in August 2025 after a four-month overseas tour.

914th Civil Engineer Squadron Airmen completed multiple construction projects at Aviano Air Base, Italy May 3-17, 2025. Through effective coordination and Multi Capable Airmen-driven flexibility, the 914th CES completed 2080 man-hours of work and set up the projects to be two weeks ahead of schedule.

A major infrastructure upgrade at the NFARS is paving the way for a more efficient and capable future. The recently completed Type III Hydrant System, a $35.2 million project, is set to revolutionize how the 914th ARW services its aircraft. The new system allows for the uploading and downloading of larger quantities of fuel in shorter periods.

The year also saw several leadership milestones. Lt. Col. Ryan Mowers, 914th ARW Deputy/Interim Commander, is pinned with the rank of Colonel by his family August 3rd. Mowers has been at the NFARS for over 17 years and was formerly the 328th Air Refueling Squadron commander. On August 2nd, Major Astin Moore assumed command of the 30th Aerial Port.

The departure of former 914th Operations Group Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher J. “CJ” Pfeil Jr., after his final flight in April, was highlighted in a May article celebrating his family's nearly 80 years of combined service to the wing, a testament to the strong family ties and generational service at the base.

The wing's commitment to excellence was recognized in February when the 914th's Inspector General Inspections (IGI) team won the Air Force Reserve Command's Maj. Gen. Junius W. Jones Inspector General award for their work in orchestrating a first-ever "Beta Test" Combat Readiness Inspection.

The 914th Air Refueling Wing's flying squadron, the 328th ARS, conducted a flyover in a KC-135 Stratotanker as the Buffalo Bills hosted the New Orleans Saints for Week four of the 2025 NFL season.