[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Pages 18422-18423]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE AIR FORCE

 Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to the 
United States Air Force as it celebrates its 53rd anniversary. For more 
than half a century, the men and women of the Air Force, through their 
dedicated service and sacrifice, have helped to ensure the freedom and 
security of America and the world.
  Although military aviation in this country had its beginnings in the 
Army, less than four years after the Wright brothers made their 
historic first flight, it was not until 1947 that the Air Force was 
established as a separate branch of the armed services.
  The birth of the Air Force itself can be traced to 1907, when the 
Aeronautical Division of the U.S. Army Signal Corps was organized. In 
1935, the General Headquarters was established, and the Air Corps 
gained control of tactical units under General Frank Andrews, after 
whom Andrews Air Force Base was named. Between the years of 1939 and 
1945, this organization was known as the Army Air Force and was led by 
the legendary General Henry ``Hap'' Arnold. In March 1942, the Army Air 
Force became coequal with the

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Army ground forces, a major step in the evolution of the Air Force.
  Chief Army officers such as Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower witnessed 
firsthand the vital role played by air power in World War II, and 
foresaw the increasing importance of air power in future conflicts. 
Military leaders recognized that the growing strategic significance of 
aircraft made necessary the creation of an additional military branch, 
alongside the Army, Navy, and Marines, and in 1947 the National 
Security Act made the Air Force an autonomous military power.
  Over the course of its illustrious history, the Air Force has taken 
on additional responsibilities, extending its reach beyond the 
atmosphere into space. In 1956, it was put in charge of all land-based 
ballistic missile systems. The first missile under the control of the 
Air Force--the Atlas ballistic missile--was made operational in 
September 1959. By 1965, the Air Force was responsible for the 
development of satellites, boosters, space probes, and other systems 
used by NASA. According to former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ronald 
R. Fogleman, America is safer in a dangerous world because of what the 
Air Force brings to our nation's defense: ``long range lethal combat 
power . . . strategic mobility . . . global awareness that comes from 
space assets, and . . . theater air dominance.'' This has been made 
possible through a combination of highly trained service members and 
highly sophisticated technology.
  Thanks to the Air Force, the lives of American servicemen and women 
in all military branches are safer than ever before during times of 
conflict. Military aircraft are now able to achieve many military 
objectives that once required ground troops, and American casualties 
are greatly reduced as a result. The amazing performance of the Air 
Force in the Persian Gulf War, which by all accounts dramatically 
reduced the number of American lives lost in that conflict, shows just 
how much we all owe our brave airmen.
  In addition to its critical defense role, the Air Force has been 
highly active in humanitarian and relief efforts over the years. One of 
the most famous of these undertakings was the Berlin airlift between 
June 1948 and June 1949. The largest airlift/evacuation in American 
history occurred in 1991 when the Air Force moved 52,000 military 
personnel and dependents from the Philippines to the U.S. following the 
eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. An airlift in February of 1992 provided food 
and medicine to Russia in Operation Provide Hope. Operation Provide 
Promise, a relief effort into Sarajevo in 1992, was the longest 
sustained humanitarian airlift in history. The Air Force has also been 
involved in hundreds and hundreds of other relief missions all over the 
world in response to earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural 
disasters.
  I would like to take this opportunity to note the contributions made 
by Minnesotans and those men and women serving at Minnesota's Air Force 
bases. These airmen have made a vital contribution to the success of 
the Air Force over the past 53 years. I would like to thank in 
particular those serving at Minnesota's Air Force Reserve and Air 
National Guard facilities, specifically the airmen of the 934th Airlift 
Wing and 133rd Airlift Wing in Minneapolis and the 148th Fighter Wing 
in Duluth who keep our C-130s and F-16s flying. These men and women 
deserve our thanks for making sure that we will always be prepared to 
face with confidence any future threats to our nation's security.
  On behalf of all Minnesotans, I thank the members of the Air Force 
for their selfless devotion to our nation's defense. Throughout the 
history of the Air Force, its members have made countless sacrifices 
for their country, from the financial struggles all too often faced by 
service members and their families, to the high price paid by those who 
have been wounded, taken prisoner, or killed in battle. A grateful 
nation will always be in their debt.
  I'm sure my colleagues will join me in recognizing the rich heritage 
and dedicated service of the United States Air Force on its 
anniversary.

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