Photo By Staff Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio | Maj. Gen. Jay Lindell, Combined Air Power Transition Force commanding general, speaks...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio
Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan – Service members from the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan honored the 61st anniversary of the U.S. Air Force, Sept. 18, 2008, during a ceremony at Camp Eggers.
The U.S. Air Force was established on, Sept. 18, 1947, when the National Security Act was signed by President Harry S. Truman. Currently, the force has a strength of more than 300,000 personnel and more than 5,000 aircraft.
The day's celebration struck a cord with the Airmen of CSTC-A, who work to mentor and advise members of the Afghan national army air corps, the emerging air-power force of the Afghan national army.
Maj. Gen. Jay Lindell, Combined Air Power Transition Force commanding general, was the keynote speaker, conveying his pride in the history and heritage of the Air Force.
"President Truman not only created a separate air force, he built the foundation for today's Air Force, the most powerful air force in the world," he said. "Although the ceremony was short, the journey to get here was not."
Lindell spoke to the many accomplishments of the Air Force, taking service members on a tour through history, comparing past and present.
"Although a lot of things have changed since 1947, one thing has not. Airmen are the heart of our Air Force," he said. "Without the dedication of our trained and motivated Airmen, even the best technology is useless. The swiftest planes, the most powerful satellites are nothing without the people who supply, operate and maintain them."
Lt. Col. Mathies Santos, a reserve Airman deployed from Quonset Point, R.I., said celebrating the US Air Force's birthday in Afghanistan was a the opportunity of a lifetime.
"You sort of lose track of different dates sometimes over here, but this one really stands out," he said. "We're celebrating our 61st , and we are helping to stand up the Afghan air corps."
Santos expressed great pride in the CSTC-A and CAPTF airmen and their part in building the Afghan air corps.
"To be part of history and to help the Afghans rebuild their proud air force, it's really amazing," he said.
Santos, as the oldest airman at Camp Eggers, joined Lindell and the youngest Airman, Airman 1st Class Jordan Ramsey, a security forces Airman deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to cut the traditional birthday cake.
After the cake cutting, service members recited the Airman's Creed and sang the Air Force song.
"Like the many heroes who have gone before us, we must embody the virtues of honor, valor and devotion that have been the soul of Airmen since the earliest day of powered flight," Lindell said in closing. "It is our obligation to continue the finest traditions of Air Force honor, to fly, fight and win."
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2008 12:24 |
| Story ID: | 23819 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 222 |
| Downloads: | 213 |
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