    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [September 18, 1997]
    [Pages 1190-1191]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the 50th Anniversary of the United States Air Force in
    Arlington, Virginia
    September 18, 1997

        Thank you very much. Secretary Cohen, Secretary Widnall, General
    Eberhart, Chaplain Denlinger, Chief Benkin, to the Air Force Band, the
    Air Force Academy Cadet Chorale, the friends and families, especially
    the men and women of the United States Air Force. I'm delighted to be
    here as we celebrate this 50th anniversary of the best air force in the
    world.
        Secretary Widnall thanked me for coming to your 50th birthday party.
    Actually, I thank you for having me. Ever since I turned 50 myself, I've
    been looking for all the company I can

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    find. [Laughter] And since I can't run for office anymore, Secretary
    Cohen, I'm glad to come here and have this crowd you raised for me. I
    appreciate it very much. [Laughter]
        Ladies and gentlemen, 50 years ago, when our Nation emerged from the
    crucible of World War II, we faced a political and military landscape
    that had been forever changed. Our European allies were devastated, the
    Iron Curtain was descending, the values for which we had fought so
    dearly seemed under siege from Europe to Asia. At that moment, only the
    United States had the strength to uphold the struggle for freedom around
    the world. And though our people were eager to turn their energies back
    home, we rose to the awesome responsibility at hand, creating the
    institutions that would protect our security and promote the cause of
    liberty and peace and eventually enable us to prevail in the cold war
    and enjoy the conditions that exist today, when, for the first time in
    human history, more than one-half the people on this planet live under
    governments of their own choosing.
        In 1947, 50 years ago, the 4 essential players in that struggle came
    to life: the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Council,
    the Department of Defense, and the United States Air Force. For the
    record, I think it should be noted that President Truman signed this act
    aboard his so-called Sacred Cow, the C-54 Presidential aircraft that
    served back then as Air Force One. In case you're wondering, President
    Truman was just like me; he didn't have an escape pod on his plane
    either. [Laughter] I might say, as long as the Air Force is flying me, I
    don't feel the need for a way out.
        Fifty years later, our Air Force remains a world-class force without
    peer, thanks to the extraordinary men and women who serve in it. Your
    soaring spirit, your dedication, your skill have helped America to
    master the skies. You've made us more secure. You've made the world a
    safer place.
        We have seen your courage and expertise in time of war. We have seen
    your compassion and sacrifice in time of peace. We have seen the around-
    the-clock flights of the Berlin airlift. We saw you in MiG Alley in
    Korea. We saw the longest humanitarian airlift in history during the war
    in Bosnia. We saw you in the skies over Baghdad in Desert Storm. And
    just a few days ago, we saw the nine crewmembers of the C-141 perish off
    the coast of Africa after carrying a team of experts to help support our
    demining efforts in Namibia.
        We have seen you rise to the challenges of our time, from the
    development of the air expeditionary forces that give me an invaluable
    tool in time of crisis, to last week's deployment of Commando Solo
    aircraft to help prevent the enemies of peace in Bosnia from sabotaging
    the Dayton agreement. We have seen your vision and commitment to excel
    as you sharpen your technological edge to dominate the battlefields of
    the future.
        And perhaps most important, we see in the 12 Outstanding Airmen of
    the Year the best traditions, the best hope, and the brightest future of
    the Air Force, the leadership and talent and dedication that make you
    second to none.
        I want you to know on behalf of all Americans, I am proud of them
    and proud of all of you who serve in the United States Air Force. To the
    pilots, the flight crews, the Red Horse engineers, the technicians, the
    security police, the space and missile operators, all who contribute to
    the strength of America in the skies, and to all the families who
    support you, our Nation is profoundly grateful.
        Today is a well-earned day of celebration for your golden legacy of
    achievement. But as you know better than anyone, there is never a day of
    rest. We pay tribute to the last 50 years with a determination to look
    to our Air Force men and women to help us meet the challenges of the
    next 50 years. We know we can always count on you; we always have. Aim
    high, and reach for new horizons.
        Thank you, and God bless you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 1:50 p.m. in the Courtyard at the Pentagon.
    In his remarks, he referred to Gen. Ralph Eberhart, USAF, Vice Chief of
    Staff of the Air Force; Maj. Gen. William J. Denlinger, USAF, Chief of
    Chaplains; and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Eric Benkin, USAF.