HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AIR FORCE!

It may seem impossible to you today, but there was a time when the Air Force had to prove itself. The question of an independent air force dates back to the formation of the Aeronautical Division of the Army Signal Corps -- before World War I.

The idea of a separate air arm had many detractors. However, some were convinced that air power had potential, but they believed it could not significantly affect the outcome of war.

The turning point was World War II -- air power was decisive, effective and preeminent. The rationale for an independent air arm was air superiority.

Based on our achievements in air superiority, the Air Force became the "first line of defense" in a post-war world. On Sept. 18, 1947, the Air Force became a separate service, an equal to the Army and Navy.

Shortly after taking office the first Secretary of the Air Force, Stuart Symington, said: "In this day when 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."

When Symington talked about global mobility of the Air Force, I'm sure he had no idea on how global the world would become and how air power would shrink the world. And 49 years later, the current Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Sheila Widnall, echoes Symington's assertion for a global presence. She has said, "we must increasingly depend upon forces that can project power rapidly and globally from the United States to influence events abroad. The Air Force, with its global presence, is fully employed in support of this engagement strategy -- preparing to deter or defeat aggression, providing stability for the emergence of new democracies and peaceful resolution of conflicts, and conducting humanitarian operations."

The Air Force's story is linked with the development of the American aviation industry. In 1909, Lt. Benjamin Foulois (pronounced fa-LOY), representing the Army Signal Corps, climbed abroad a biwing Wright Flyer aircraft. It was the final test flight of the first military aircraft. Foulois became an air power advocate. His determination and perseverance resolved on one issue -- bringing air power to the nation.

During the early 1900s, technological development of the airplane progressed slowly in the United States. Yet, European nations were arming themselves for war and exploring advancements in observation and pursuit aircraft.

Americans volunteered for the French Air Service before the United States entered war. In fact, Corporal Eugene J. Bullard -- awarded the Croix de Guerre for bravery in the trenches -- volunteered to fly for the French in 1917. He was the first African-American fighter pilot.

When America became involved in World War I, its air role was very small. But our role grew and by war's end, there were 11,000 American flying officers with names such as Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, the leading American ace of the famed "Hat in the Ring" squadron, and 2nd Lt. Frank Luke, the second leading ace.

One Air Force officer, Lieutenant Colonel Billy Mitchell, emerged as one of the founding fathers of an independent air arm. He also honed his aviation skills and learned strategy and tactics from the organizer of Britain's independent air force, Air Chief Marshal Trenchard. In 1918, he translated his knowledge into action. He took command as Air Marshall of the American Expeditionary Forces.

Mitchell became an intense proponent for air power and the need for a separate air arm for defense. He predicted in his book, "Our Air Force," "The first battles of any future war will be air battles. The nation winning them is practically certain to win the whole war because the victorious air service will be able to operate and increase without hindrance."

After the "war to end all wars," the economy flagged, and Americans did not want to spend money on defense. The Army Air Service lacked a mission and a clear doctrine. Under the stewardship of General Foulois, it emerged with the missions and doctrines that helped shape the future, independent Air Force.

At his insistence, the Army established the General Headquarters Air Force at Langley Field, Virginia. A major step in unifying and concentrating forces under a single air commander to train and develop striking forces.

Although the planning for an independent service began as early as 1943 with Gen.Laurence Kuter, military leaders had their first priority -- winning World War II.

However, Gen. H. H. "Hap" Arnold, is credited with plotting the course for independence and internal reorganization of the Air Force. After the war, Arnold, in his capacity as the commanding general of the Army Air Forces, said a separate Air Force was his highest priority.

He asked Theodore von Karman, noted professor of aeronautical engineering, to form a scientific group to study research and development. And, he depended upon the skills of Gen. Carl A. Spaatz, wartime commander of the strategic forces, to see the task through to its completion, and General Spaatz became the first Air Force chief of staff.

Our "forefathers" had a monumental task. But a foundation had been laid by the Wright Brothers who believed aviation was a boon for international goodwill ... by the one-man air force of Foulois who flew reconnaissance and mapping missions to show the potential of the airplane ... by the Lafayette Escadrille, Americans volunteering to fly for the French in World War I ... by pioneers such as Mitchell who angered his superiors, but continued to believe in the value of air power and solicited public support.

The foundation was there, and we were ready. Plus, support for an independent air force came from Gen. Dwight Eisenhower and other Army senior leaders. They had seen the value of air superiority, and their strong position assured success despite heavy opposition.

After the war, the military was in a huge demobilizing plan, and the air leaders had to "build" an air force. At the same time, the communist nations that our allies in war were becoming our enemies in peace. The result was an uneasy peace in which the Air Force became the "first line of defense."

The way had not been easy. From the Berlin Airlift to Desert Storm, when the nation needed us, we were there. We sat in the missile silos on alert. We froze during the Korean winters, and sweltered in the jungles of Vietnam. We're the nation's air force.

In the fall of 1994, Saddam Hussein's attempt at aggression was stopped by a united show of force with the Navy, Army, Marines and coalition partners. Secretary of Defense William J. Perry said: "The Air Force has really deterred a war. "When we deployed F-15s, F-16s and A-10s in large numbers, they (the Iraquis) got the message very quickly."

Currently we are engaged in a number of major hotspots around the world. In fact, our operations tempo is four times what it was during the Cold War. Our aircrews and mobility teams, both active duty and reserves, are spending up to 130 days a year on temporary duty away from home.

All of these events prove that our "forefathers" succeeded in building the world's most respected air force -- the nation's air force.

Those of us in the Air Force are a proud group of people. We take pride in our heritage, as we begin to celebrate our 50th year as an independent service. We take pride in our achievements. An Air Force pilot -- Capt. Charles Yeager -- introduced the world to supersonic flight, one month after our inception. And since 1953, no American soldier has been attacked on the ground by an air-breathing vehicle.

The air belongs to us. We take pride in that. We take pride in what we do, and how we do it. We take pride in the uniform we wear, and the aircraft we fly.

But for those of us in the Air Force there is another kind of PRIDE. We use the word PRIDE to represent five major themes -- people, resources, integrity, dominance and execution.

The P in PRIDE is for the 758,000 people who make our Air Force the world’s premier air and space force. Our "total force" includes 388,000 people on active duty, 187,000 in the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, and 183,000 civilian employees. Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman, has said "They are the most intelligent, innovative and motivated people we’ve ever had in the Air Force."

To ensure we keep quality people, our senior Air Force leaders are committed to providing our members with the best quality of life, and ensuring our people have the opportunity to realize their full potential. In turn, our people ensure we maintain Air Force readiness at the highest possible level.

Air Force people serve proudly as part of America’s joint military team at installations throughout the United States and around the world. There are 81,000 airmen serving full time overseas. On average, some 14,500 Air Force people are deployed in support of exercises and contingencies outside the United States -- 11,000 of these people have been called to participate in major operations overseas. Despite the drawdown of our military, the Air Force continues to provide new opportunities to serve this nation and the causes for which it stands.

The R in PRIDE is for the resources; the weapons systems for today and tomorrow. Our current inventory of weapons systems makes us the most respected air and space power in the world.

To ensure we have the right resources for our future, the Air Force has developed a responsible, time-phased approach to modernization. It synchronizes the size and timing of multiple programs, such as the C-17, upgrading bombers and the F-22.

This approach allows the Air Force to modernize without sacrificing our current readiness. Because shifts in technology and the security environment are inevitable in the years ahead, the Air Force has strengthened and streamlined the way it plans and programs for the future.

The I in PRIDE is for integrity; our stewardship through accountability. From the top officers and civilian leaders to our newest recruits, integrity is the hallmark for all actions within the Air Force. As men and women of integrity, we are fully accountable to the citizens of the United States. Accountability is a prerequisite of effective military operations. It is essential in our ability to gain and sustain the trust of the American people. It is also paramount for the good order and discipline of our force.

Our people are committed to the service’s core values, the standards we use to guide our efforts. Integrity, service before self and excellence in all we do are stressed at all levels. Senior Air Force leaders have established personal values, professionalism, demanding standards and accountability as the foundation for our people’s vision of the future.

The D in PRIDE is for the dominance of our decisive air and space power. The Air Force is capable of protecting American resources anywhere in the world. We are an agile force, always ready to respond when our nation calls. We can project the full weight of America’s military might to any corner of the globe at any time, and our technological edge ensures efficiency in all our operations.

The advantages produced by air power are crucial in the success of modern military operations. The Air Force carries the crucial, leading-edge components of our nation’s land forces to the fight and controls the air to provide our forces freedom to maneuver. Air power increases the alternatives available to all branches of the armed forces so they can fight effectively and respond quickly to changing circumstances.

The E in PRIDE is for execution; our ability to fight and win America’s wars. Our mission is to defend the United States through the control and exploitation of air and space.

PRIDE in the Air Force is a combination of outstanding people, superb resources and the highest standard of integrity.

As the Air Force enters its 50th year, we have a history of preserving the peace from our first major undertaking -- the Berlin Airlift to Operation Southern Watch over Iraq today. And as Saddam Hussein learned when he again took aim at his own people this month, our Air Force response was swift and decisive. B-52s carrying conventional air-launched cruise missiles flew more than 13,000 miles round trip in Operation Desert Strike and delivered their precision-guided munitions on time and on target . This and other operations reminded Saddam once again that U.S. forces would not stand idly by as he violated the peace.

Our nation has a long history of wanting to preserve peace. The first American president, George Washington, said that "to be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace."

We in the Air Force take pride in what we do. We're your nation's Air Force. We’re prepared, we’re ready and we’re proud to serve America.