Off We Go…

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lieutenant John Duresky
  • 96th Communications Group
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  Happy 56th birthday, Air Force!

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,

The groundwork for an independent Air Force was established with a signature, when President Truman enacted the National Security Act of 1947. The Air Force officially came into existence 56 years ago on September 18, as W. Stuart Symington became the first secretary of the Air Force. The first chief of staff, Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, took command of a depleted Air Force. The Air Force had 305,000 personnel, 319 nuclear-capable B-29 Superfortresses and 350 operational fighters in Strategic Air Command. Today, the total number of active-duty personnel has increased to about 355,000, and we have more than 7,000 aircraft, an armada of missiles, and a constellation of satellites.

Climbing high into the sun.

In 1947, our best piston-engine bombers had a maximum payload of 20,000 pounds of bombs with a range of 2,300 miles. Today, our bombers have an unlimited range with air refueling, and payload capabilities over 50,000 pounds. Reconnaissance was in its infancy; recon planes, such as the RB-29, were manned, used some radar, and couldn't fly higher than 33,000 feet. Today, manned aircraft can travel to the edge of space and satellites keep constant vigil from space. Our newest reconnaissance aircraft are unmanned and loaded with sensors. Cargo has gone from payloads of 28,000 pounds (C-54 Skymaster) to almost ten times that number (C-5 Galaxy). Our first jet fighter, the F-80 Shooting Star (original designation P for pursuit) was armed with machine guns and unguided rockets, and had a top speed of 580 mph. Today, most fighters can fly at twice the speed of sound and carry myriad guns, missiles, and precision bombs. More importantly, many are nearly invisible to radar.

Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,

Many challenges were quickly met by the new independent Air Force: from the Berlin Airlift, when we delivered 2.3 million tons of cargo to defeat the blockade, to our 39-day campaign during Desert Storm, to a campaign that obliterated Iraqi defenses and broke the Iraqi Army’s will to fight. From the skies of Korea where American pilots had a stunning 10 to 1 kill ratio, to the Kosovo campaign where victory was achieved solely with airpower.

At ’em boys, give ’er the gun!

Fifty six years ago, the gun and the unguided bomb were the primary weapons. Over those 56 years, we have developed many formidable weapons, such as several different air-to-air missiles; the most current is capable of “fire and forget” engagement from more than 20 miles away. Our first “cruise” missiles were similar to the terror weapons of Hitler. Now they have accuracy measured in feet. Whereas destroying a single target took as many as 100 aircraft dropping multiple bombs, today we measure how many targets a single aircraft can destroy with its payload of satellite-guided bombs.

Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,

The Air Force continues to dive into the fast pace of technological innovation and speeds toward the future. In 1947, the Air Force simply tried to go faster, bigger, and further. In the early days the priorities were jet engines and nuclear weapons. Today our new innovations include the extended-range Joint Direct Attack Munition, the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile, and the Joint Strike Fighter. As we look to the future, unmanned combat air vehicles, hypersonic vehicles and directed-energy or laser weapons will become reality.

Off with one helluva roar!

A decade after the Air Force was formed, the Russians stunned the world by launching Sputnik into orbit. The Air Force was already responding to this new challenge, and would come to dominate in this difficult environment as it has dominated closer to earth. Today we have become an air and space force; most operations cannot take place without our space operators. Our presence has evolved from the experimental hypersonic X-15 rocket plane and the KH-11 spy satellites to our constellation of Navstar GPS satellites and the Space Shuttle.

We live in fame or go down in flame,

Throughout our history, we have answered the call to duty and sacrifice; some have made the ultimate sacrifice. During the Korean War, Maj. George Davis, with only one wingman, took on 12 enemy MiGs. After shooting down 2 MiGs, Davis continued to press the attack despite the enemy’s overwhelming numerical advantage and numerous opportunities to break off. He was shot down trying to engage a third MiG, but successfully disrupted the enemy formation and allowed friendly fighter-bombers to complete their interdiction mission. Today, our airmen continue to sacrifice without apparent regard for their own safety. In March 2002, Senior Airman Jason Cunningham treated the wounded in the midst of withering fire from the enemy after his helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan. He established a casualty collection point, and then another, and finally a third collection point, all in the face of intense small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade attack. Even after he was mortally wounded, he continued to direct casualty movement until care was transferred to another medic. We will never forget the airmen who gave all.

Nothing’ll stop the U.S. Air Force!

The Air Force is more than just airplanes. It is the support troops, maintainers, logistics personnel, medical corpsmen, acquisition personnel and research and development technicians, just to name a few. It is our blend of contractor, civilian, and military, all dedicated to the same mission. It is our total force with Reserve, Guard, and active duty. And it is the families who support their airmen. It is you and it is me.

Nothing’ll stop the U.S Air Force!