The U.S. Air Force celebrates its 72nd birthday today.
The youngest of the four Department of Defense branches, Air Force became its own branch in 1947 when President Harry Truman signed into law the National Security Act of 1947.
Here’s the video the Air Force released in honor of the day:
WINGMEN. LEADERS. WARRIORS.
Frontiers in Blue…#ThisIs72! #HBDUSAF pic.twitter.com/LATUrrCFOW— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) September 18, 2019
The Air Force Global Strike Command released a video of its own:
The Air Force is celebrating 72 years of service, so here is 72 seconds of Global Strike Command! #USAFBday #ThisIs72 pic.twitter.com/tfGJASbZoU
— AFGSC (@AFGlobalStrike) September 18, 2019
The U.S. Army tweeted a video and a message saying, “Join us in wishing the @usairforce a #happybirthday! They may have separated from the Army in 1947, but they have been trail brazers ever since.”
Join us in wishing the @usairforce a #happybirthday! They may have separated from the Army in 1947, but they have been trail brazers ever since.
Video by Spc. DeAndre Dawkins pic.twitter.com/sU1LxvejEI
— U.S. Army (@USArmy) September 18, 2019
“To be young again… #HappyBirthday, @usairforce! Congrats on 72 years playing a key role in the National Defense Strategy. Here’s to many more,” the U.S. Navy tweeted.
To be young again… #HappyBirthday, @usairforce! Congrats on 72 years playing a key role in the National Defense Strategy. Here’s to many more. pic.twitter.com/5Dnl1N4Q0b
— U.S. Navy (@USNavy) September 18, 2019
The first carnation of an air force in the military was in 1907 when the U.S. Army Signal Corps designated an Aeronautical Division to manage military air operations such as balloons and other new flying machines.
One year later, the Signal Corps tested its first airplane, and after another year, they accepted the airplane into the service.
In 1913, the 1st Provisional Aero Squadron was established as the first aviation military unit.
Several other changes took place over the decades to shape what is now the Air Force.
Now the Air Force boasts more than 5,400 manned and unmanned aircraft, 1,385 of which are fighter planes, according to Air Force data compiled by the Heritage Foundation.
