Wars over the course of the 20th century have shaped the USAF into the precise machine it is today. Decades of demanding missions built a robust force capable of a wide variety of missions across the world.
For many, the words “Air Force” conjure up mental images of fighter jets screaming across the sky, with pilots surrounded by lights, gauges, and switches.
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All the upgrades and flashy fighters aren’t for show, either. The Air Force is on the forefront of optic, propulsion, and laser technology.
To field all that technology, the Air Force has over 300,000 members, 12,000 of whom are pilots.
Non-pilots fill essential roles as well, including maintenance, navigation, and security work.
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The Air Force of the 21st century is evolving to meet threats across the world. From terrorism to hurricane relief, their mission is “integrity first, service before self, excellence in all we do.”
This doesn’t come as a surprise to some enduring the current storms on the East Coast. Air Force personnel were on standby in the days leading up to the storm’s landfall, ready to jump in and assist.
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The modern Air Force has come a long way since the World War sorties and dogfights that shaped its future.
Now more than ever, it’s important for our military to remain in the forefront. With China and Russia becoming rising challengers, the Air Force is going to play a pivotal part in the balance of power over the next few decades.
The Air Force has become an icon in the 71 years it has existed. With brave men and women filling the ranks of the service, it is guaranteed to have many more birthdays after this one.
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If you see an airman today, thank them for their service!
Jared has written more than 200 articles and assigned hundreds more since he joined The Western Journal in February 2017. He was an infantryman in the Arkansas and Georgia National Guard and is a husband, dad and aspiring farmer.
Jared has written more than 200 articles and assigned hundreds more since he joined The Western Journal in February 2017. He is a husband, dad, and aspiring farmer. He was an infantryman in the Arkansas and Georgia National Guard. If he's not with his wife and son, then he's either shooting guns or working on his motorcycle.