KANSAS CITY, Mo. – On Sept. 18, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) joins a grateful nation in celebrating the 79th birthday of the United States Air Force and honoring the generations of airmen whose service and sacrifice have helped defend America at home and around the world.
Born from the U.S. Army Air Forces, the Air Force was established on Sept. 18, 1947, with the signing of the National Security Act of 1947. In the nearly eight decades since, airmen have built a proud legacy of courage, innovation and excellence while answering the nation’s call in times of war and peace.
From defending America’s skies, and delivering troops and supplies across the globe to conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, providing humanitarian assistance and maintaining America’s strategic deterrence, the men and women of the Air Force perform critical missions every day.
Behind every aircraft launched, mission completed and life saved are airmen who have committed themselves to something greater than themselves. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice, while others carry with them the visible and unseen costs of service. All are part of a legacy that generations of American airmen have built since 1947.
The more than 1.3 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary salute our nation’s airmen currently serving today and all those who came before them. We are grateful for your courage, your sacrifice and your continued commitment to defending our nation.
Happy 79th birthday, Air Force!