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 Tad Browning

Ft. Hood Army equipment testing unit leaders encourage AER donations

U.S. Army Operational Test Command

March 15, 2023 | 2:42

Story by Michael Novogradac

U.S. Army Operational Test Command Public Affairs

WEST FORT HOOD, Texas — Leaders of the unit responsible for testing new and modernized equipment before it is fielded to Soldiers began the 2023 Army Emergency Relief campaign with a video urging workforce donations.

“My goal is to make sure that everyone in the command understands the benefits that AER can provide to you and your family,” said Col. George C. Hackler, U.S. Army Operational Test Command commander.

AER’s annual fundraising campaign for the Army’s official nonprofit began March 1 and continues through May 15.

Mr. Robert Stone, OTC’s Civilian Executive Director reminded folks how AER has been around for 81 years helping Soldiers and their families.

“In the last year alone, AER awarded $65 million in grants, scholarships, and loans to more than 40,000 Soldiers in need,” he said. “That aid was only possible because of the Soldiers, leaders, Family members, and Civilians that donated.”

OTC’s senior enlisted advisor reminded everyone that AER is about “Soldiers helping Soldiers,” and how emergencies can always happen.

“Look to your left and your right at your battle buddies. You never know when an emergency involving financial stress will come up,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Martin M. Conroy. “AER is about providing relief for hardship.

“Whether it is car repairs, rent assistance, utility bills, or youth scholarships,” he continued, “there are over 30 categories of assistance to assist our Soldiers through the hardships so we can ultimately focus on the mission and readiness.”

Thanking AER for all its support year after year, Col. Kevin S. Capra, deputy commander and chief of staff said, “AER is here for us. Let’s make sure that we’re here for AER.

“Every donation counts. So, remember — financial readiness is readiness.”

Reflecting on how OTC helped three of its own Soldiers through the AER Quick Assistance Program, OTC’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander Capt. Nastassia J. Smith established unit AER representatives in 10 directorates.

“We wanted to see if we could get 100 percent in-person contact of everybody,” she said. “That face-to-face really matters to make sure people understand and they know that not only is the unit there for them, but AER is here for them.”

For more information about AER and its programs, visit www.aerhq.org

To donate, go to www.aerhq.org/donate

For more on the AER Annual Campaign, go to https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/campaign

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About the U.S. Army Operational Test Command:

As the Army's only independent operational tester, OTC enlists the "Total Army" (Active, National Guard, and Reserve) when testing Army, joint, and multi-service warfighting systems in realistic operational environments, using typical Soldiers to determine whether the systems are effective, suitable, and survivable. OTC is required by public law to test major systems before they are fielded to its ultimate customer - the American Soldier.