Happy 70th birthday U.S. Air Force!

  • Published
  • By Col. Jennifer Hammerstedt
  • Commander, 75th Air Base Wing
On the 70th birthday of our United States Air Force, the dedicated Airmen at Hill Air Force Base continue to provide unrivaled Airpower for America. As we celebrate the establishment of the United States Air Force as a separate service, we remember our proud heritage and honor those who advocated for an independent Air Force, passing on to us the responsibility for continued innovation and leadership in the air, space and cyber domain.

American Airmen have been breaking barriers for 70 years in air, space and cyberspace, resulting in global vigilance, reach and power. They’ve shown tenacity in Korea’s MiG Alley, endurance in Vietnam’s Rolling Thunder campaign, decisiveness over the skies of Baghdad during Desert Storm and resilience in Iraq and Afghanistan. Airmen are now fully engaged as part of America's Joint Force in every region of the world and every mission area across the full spectrum of military operations. Airmen span the globe and Airpower has become the “oxygen the joint team breathes.”

The Airmen of Hill AFB have been a significant contributor to America’s Airpower. The Ogden Air Logistics Complex has a renowned reputation for its repair and supply support with increased engineering, sustainment/logistics management and maintenance support for many of the Air Force’s weapon systems – Minuteman III, C-130, F-16, A-10, F-22 and F-35, to name a few.

In addition to maintenance and acquisition support, operational units on Hill Air Force Base like the 388th Fighter Wing, 419th Fighter Wing, and 729th Air Control Squadron – have been in constant deployment rotations, and have executed flawlessly.

Today’s warfighters and their families carry on the sacrifice and achievement of America’s pioneering Airmen. Hill AFB’s Airmen have pushed the limits of imagination and technology to excel in the air, space and now cyberspace.

Today, our Air Force delivers Global Vigilance, Global Reach, and Global Power with unmatched effectiveness. With tens of thousands of Airmen supporting combatant commanders from deployed locations and many more directly contributing from their home stations, the United States Air Force is absolutely essential to prevailing in every joint fight.

America depends on our remarkable Total Force of Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, and Civilian Airmen who have never failed to answer our Nation’s call. I thank you and your family for your service, sacrifice, and commitment to the defense of our Nation. Happy 70th birthday United States Air Force!