Prep School Celebrates Air Force Birthday
The United States Air Force celebrated its 74th Birthday this weekend and the USAF Prep School held a celebration yesterday afternoon in Husky Theater.
The U.S. Air Force was officially founded on 18 September 1947, and in the decades since it has established itself as an air force second-to-none.
Between 1909 -- when that the US military purchased its first aircraft -- and 1947, the U.S. Air Force did not exist as a separate and independent military service organization. It went through a series of designations: Aeronautical Section, Signal Corps (1909); Aviation Section, Signal Corps (1914); United States Army Air Service (1918); United States Army Air Corps (1926), and United States Army Air Forces (1941).
WWII illustrated the value of airpower, and the need to change the basic organization of the US Military Forces. The result was the creation of a single Department of Defense with a strong Joint Chiefs of Staff with Army, Navy, and Air Force chiefs. In 1947 President Truman signed the National Security Act which established this new defense organization, and along with it the creation of the US Air Force as an independent service, equal to the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy.
The official Air Force birthday is Sept. 18, 1947.
Yesterday's ceremony was held in Husky Theater and there was a retired guest DV panel that spoke about their time in the military, why the signed up to serve, and why they stayed in the military. The panel also answered questions from the Prep CC's. The guest speakers were: (Ret) Col James Taylor, (Ret) Col RF Smith, (Ret) Col Richard Storm, (Ret) Lt Col Jennifer Fujimoto, and (Ret) SMSgt Lisa Willoughby-PSDM.
Col James Taylor Col RF Smith
Col Richard Storm Lt Col Jennifer Fujimoto
SMSgt Lisa Willoughby
Chaplain Hostettle gave an innvocation prior to the guest panel speaking. There was also an essay contest and CC Whitman was the winner and read his essay during the celebration.
It is a tradition in the Air Force when celebrating a birthday for the oldest military member and the youngest military member in attendance to cut the cake. For yesterday's celebration the cake was cut with a sabre by Col (Ret.) James Taylor and CC Tirado Elias.
To view photos go to CLASSES > Prep School > Prep Life. Set photo order OLDEST to NEWEST. Select start page or click on the link below.
*** Photo order must be set OLDEST to NEWEST for the link below to take you to the correct start page.
USAF 74th Birthday Celebration at Prep School pgs. 14 (bottom of page)-21 USAF Birthday Celebration