The White Falcon - 18.09.1981, Síða 1

Air Fo rce celebrates 34th anniversary
The year was 1947. The founding
of the United Nations and the Allied
victory of World War II were his-
tory. Atomic power was a reality -
a miracle of science promising
great benefit.
It was a year that might be
considered normal by many. But for
those in blue, it holds a special
significance.
Created by the National Security
Act of 1947, the Air Force became a
reality that September 18, when W.
Stuart Symington repeated the oath
of office as the first secretary of
the new service. General Carl
Spaatz took over duties as Air
Force chief of staff on September
26.
Transfer of air activities from
the Army to the Department of the
Air Force meant little immediate
change in people, mission or opera-
tions. The aircraft were the same,
America's air obligations and re-
"The United States Air Force
celebrates its 34th birthday to-
day, September 18th. Created
as an independent service by the
National Security Act of 1947,
the United States Air Force was
charged to be "organized, trained,
and equipped primarily for prompt
and sustained offensive and defen-
sive air operations." To carry
out this charge, the Strategic Air
Command, Air Defense Command, and
Tactical Air Command were created
as integral parts of the new ser-
vice. Members of the United
States Air Force can look with
pride at its history and accom-
plishments. Experiences such as
the Berlin Airlift, the Korean
War, and Southeast Asia demonstra-
ted the professionalism and
strength of our forces. Every
Air Force member at Keflavik is
vital to continuing that tradi-
tion by performing a mission of
critical importance. As the air
arm of the Iceland Defense Force,
Air Forces Iceland is intimately
involved with the defense and pro-
tection of Iceland as part of the
NATO alliance. Our strategic lo-
cation places us in continued
proximity to Soviet ships and air-
craft. As we look back at the
heritage of the Air Force, we can
be proud of the contributions we
are making in Iceland today toward
our nation's defense."
Col. Jerry E. Smith
Commander
Air Forces Iceland
quirements were the same. Distin-
guishing Army people from Air Force
people was a matter of looking for
collar insignia, flyer's wings and
shoulder patches - the rest of the
uniform was the same.
But change was soon to come.
By 1948, aircraft such as the
B-47 bomber were being tested.
Man had already broken the sound
barrier. Sadly, that year the
world lost one of the fathers of
flight, Orville Wright.
The pace of progress quickened
in the early '50s. The Cold War
between Communism and the Free
World became a hot war in Korea.
Though a truce was declared July
17, 1953, the political temperature,
like a serious fever, has risen and
fallen ever since.
Today, as the United States Air
Force celebrates it 34th anniver-
sary as a separate service, little
remains of the original organiza-
tion. Work-worn buildings in use
in 1947 still stand on some bases.
At others, veteran aircraft stand
sentinel in places of honor to re-
mind today's airmen of their heroic
past.
In the ensuing years, Air Force
people have made great advances in
airpower, support systems and
technology.
Through it all, the Air Force
cor:inues to emphasize the import-
ance f people - the men and women
who comprise the Air Force team.
They are today's Air Force.
WHITE
September 18, 1981
Volume 24, Number 3/
Keflavik, Iceland
FALCON
An important mission
Air Forces Iceland's mission is perfectly composed in a single view: two
F-4E Phantoms of the 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron escort the 960th
AWACSS' E-3A Sentry Airborne Early Warning Aircraft as the formation
passes the radar station at Hofn in south-east Iceland. (Photo by Baldur
Sveinsson).