Top 3 releases AF birthday message Published Sept. 18, 2015 Air Force News Service WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody released a tri-signature letter in anticipation of the Air Force’s 68th birthday Sept. 18.To read the letter, click here.