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Air Force turns 61

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  • By Staff Reports
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  It is hard to believe it has been a year since the Air Force celebrated its 60th anniversary with much pomp and circumstance. We shouldn't let the 61st birthday go by, however, without reflecting on six decades-plus of airpower as a separate military service and taking time to look to the future.

With the successes of airpower across two world wars, it is easy to understand the need for an Air Force that was a separate service from the Army.

Our first secretary, Stuart Symington, said shortly after taking office: "In this day a powerful counterattack is America's only real answer to aggression...there can be no question that we need the world's first Air Force. It is only through the global, flashing mobility of the Air Force that we can hold our counterattack poised...we feel with deep conviction, that the destiny of the United States rests on the continued development of our Air Force."

Pulled from Sept. 17-23 Airman's Roll Call
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