Posted on 09/18/2002 12:37:57 AM PDT by Snow Bunny
Edited on 09/18/2002 5:20:52 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
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Happy 55th Birthday to the U.S. Air Force |
Almost from the beginning of military aviation in the U.S., some men such as Billy Mitchell had urged the creation of a separate air force. During World War II, the Army Air Force was almost independent from the Army, but this was only a temporary wartime situation. However, experience gained during the war had shown that an air arm independent and co-equal with the Army and Navy could perform satisfactorily.
After months of inter-service and congressional negotiations and compromise, on July 26, 1947 President Harry S. Truman on board the presidental aircraft "Sacred Cow" signed the National Security Act of 1947. The measure established an independent Air Force for "offensive and defensive air operations" and placed the Army, Navy, and Air Force on an equal level under a civilian Secretary of Defense. The Department of the Air Force began operating as a separate entity on Sep. 18, 1947 at which time W. Stuart Symington was sworn in as the first Secretary of the Air Force. General Carl Spaatz, WW II commander of U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe and in the Pacific, was named the first USAF Chief of Staff.
The U.S. Air Force thus entered a new era in which airpower became firmly established as a major element of the nations defense and one of its chief hopes for deterring war.
Under the National Security Act, the functions assigned to the Army Air Forces commanding general transferred to the Department of the Air Force. The act provided for an orderly two-year transfer of these functions as well as property, personnel and records.
Later, under the Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1958, the departments of Army, Navy and Air Force were eliminated from the chain of operational command. Commanders of unified and specified commands became responsible to the president and the secretary of defense through the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The act redefined the functions of the military departments to those of essentially organizing, training, equipping and supporting combat forces for the unified and specified commands. Each military department retained resource management of its service.
Aviation Firsts |
To assure unit preparedness and overall effectiveness of the Air Force, the secretary of the Air Force is responsible for and has the authority to conduct all affairs of the Department of the Air Force. This includes training, operations, administration, logistical support and maintenance, and welfare of personnel. The secretary's responsibilities include research and development, and any other activity prescribed by the president or the secretary of defense.
The secretary of the Air Force exercises authority through civilian assistants and the chief of staff, but retains immediate supervision of activities that involve vital relationships with Congress, the secretary of defense, other governmental officials and the public.
Major commands are organized on a functional basis in the United States and a geographic basis overseas. They accomplish designated phases of Air Force worldwide activities. Also, they organize, administer, equip and train their subordinate elements for the accomplishment of assigned missions. Major commands generally are assigned specific responsibilities based on functions. In descending order of command, elements of major commands include numbered air forces, wings, groups, squadrons and flights.
The basic unit for generating and employing combat capability is the wing, which has always been the Air Forces prime war-fighting instrument. Composite wings operate more than one kind of aircraft, and may be configured as self-contained units designated for quick air intervention anywhere in the world.
Other wings continue to operate a single aircraft type ready to join air campaigns anywhere they are needed. Air base and specialized mission wings such as training, intelligence and test also support the Air Force mission. Within the wing, operations, logistics and support groups are the cornerstones of the organization.
Field operating agencies and direct reporting units are other Air Force subdivisions and report directly to Headquarters U.S. Air Force. They are assigned a specialized mission that is restricted in scope when compared to the mission of a major command. Field operating agencies carry out field activities under the operational control of a Headquarters U.S. Air Force functional manager. Direct reporting units are not under the operational control of a Headquarters U.S. Air Force functional manager because of a unique mission, legal requirements or other factors.
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Major Commands
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Historic Air Force Songs![]() Itazuke Tower(Tune of "Wabash Cannonball") "Itazuke Tower, this is Air Force 801, ![]() Let's Have a PartyParties make the world go roundWorld go round, world go round Parties make the world go round Let's have a party. Now, we're gonna tear down the bar in the Officers' Club (Boo) We're gona build us a new bar (Yay) It's only gonna be one foot wide (Boo) But it's gonna be a mile long (Yay) There's gonna be no bartenders at our bar (Boo) There's only gonna be barmaids (Yay) Our barmaids will wear long dresses (Boo) Made out of cellophane (Yay) You can't take our barmaids to your bunks (Boo) They take you to their bunks (Yay) You can't sleep with our barmaids (Boo) They don't let you sleep (Yay) Soda's gonna be ten bucks a glass (Boo) Whiskey free (Yay) Only one to each pilot (Boo) Served in buckets (Yay) We're gonna throw all the beer in the river (Boo) And then we'll all go swimming (Yay) Now no girls are allowed in the USO hall (Boo) With their clothes on (Yay) There'll be no lovin' on the dance floor (Boo) And no dancing on the lovin' floor (Yay) ![]() Glory Flying Regulations(Tune of "Glory, Glory Hallejulia")Hap Arnold built a fighting team that sang a fighting song, About the wild blue yonder and the days when men were strong. But now we're regulated 'cause we don't know right from wrong, The Force is shot to hell... CHORUS: Glory flying regulations Have them read at all the stations Burn the ass of those that break them The Force is shot to hell. Once they flew B-26s through a hell of flak, and bloody dying pilots gave their lives to bring 'em back, Now they're playing ping-pong in the operations shack, The Force is shot to hell... I've seen them in their T-Bolts when their eyes were dancing flame, I've seen their screaming power drive that blasted Goering's name; But now they fly like sissies and they hang their heads in shame; The Force is shot to hell... Now one day I buzzed an airfield with another happy chap, We flew a hot formation with my wingtip on his lap, So they passed a new directive and we'll have no more of that, The Force is shot to hell... So now mine eyes are dim with tears for happy days of old, We loved to take our chances for our hearts were young and bold, From now on we have no choice but live to be quite old, The Force is shot to hell... ![]() |
One more try to turn off "center" ... :)
Toward FREEDOM
Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun now!)
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!
Additional verses:
Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder,
Sent it high into the blue;
Hands of men blasted the world asunder;
How they lived God only knew! (God only knew then!)
Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer
Gave us wings, ever to soar!
With scouts before And bombers galore. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!
Here's a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old,
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast, the U.S. Air Force!
Zoom!
Off we go into the wild sky yonder,
Keep the wings level and true;
If you'd live to be a grey-haired wonder
Keep the nose out of the blue! (Out of the blue, boy!)
Flying men, guarding the nation's border,
We'll be there, followed by more!
In echelon we carry on. Hey!
Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!
Notes: Crawford didn't write "Hey!"; he actually wrote "SHOUT!" without specifying the word to be shouted. Wherever they appear, the words "U.S. Air Force" have been changed from the original "Army Air Corps." Words in parentheses are spoken, not sung.
To OUR U.S. AIR FORCE:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Have a wonderful day, everyone. Cya later.
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- Master Sgt. Tim Snyder, from the 321st Expeditionary Support Squadron civil engineer flight, ignores the blazing sun overhead while tightening a bolt on a swingset that 321st Air Expeditionary Group volunteers built in a town next to a forward-deployed location. Snyder joined more than 100 other volunteers from the 321st AEG to build three of the swingsets and other playground equipment for children in the town. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Marc Barnes)
B-2 Spirit refuels after Operation Allied Force mission
A B-2 Spirit stealth bomber refuels from a KC-10 Extender after completing a mission in support of NATO Operation Allied Force. The B-2 is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ken Bergmann)
AntiJen, you have simply outdone yourself. Although I'm a Navy wife, I grew up closer to Wright Patterson Air Force base. The air shows and the museum is second to none. God Bless the Air Force!!!God Bless all of our Troops! God Bless Israel, Canada, NZ, Australia, and the rest of our Allies!!
Today's classic warship, USS Helena (CA-75)
Baltimore class heavy cruiser
Displacement: 13,600 t.
Length: 67411
Beam: 7010
Draft: 206
Speed: 33 k.
Complement: 1,142
Armament: 9 8; 12 5; 48 40mm; 22 20mm
The USS HELENA was launched at Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Mass., 28 April 1945, sponsored by Mrs. John T. Haytin, wife of the mayor of Helena, and commissioned 4 September 1945, Captain A. H. McCollum in command.
HELENA completed her outfitting in the Boston area and sailed 24 October 1945, arriving New York City the next day to take part in the tremendous celebration of the Navy's role in World War II victory that marked Navy Day, 27 October 1945. After two shakedown/training periods at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, HELENA returned to Boston in February 1946 to prepare for her first deployment, a round-the-world cruise. HELENA sailed from Boston 12 February 1946 for England where Admiral H. Kent Hewitt boarded and broke his flag as Commander, Naval Forces, Europe, and Commander, 12th Fleet. During the next 3 months, HELENA conducted training exercises in Northern European waters and paid good will visits to major ports in England and Scotland.
Relieved as flagship 1 May 1946, HELENA sailed for the Far East via the Suez Canal, calling at major Mediterranean ports, Colombo, Ceylon, Singapore, and arriving Tsingtao 18 June 1946. During her tour in the Far East, HELENA took part in a wide variety of training exercises and fleet maneuvers until she finally departed Shanghai 22 March 1947 for home after more than a year in foreign waters.
After training operations in California waters, HELENA departed once more for the Far East 3 April 1948, arriving Shanghai 24 days later. Throughout the summer and fall of 1948, she operated primarily in Chinese waters returning to Long Beach December 1948.
HELENA spent much of the spring of 1949 in training a new crew and in May cruised to train Naval Reservists, returning to Long Beach for a conversion necessary to equip her to carry a helicopter. During July and August 1949, HELENA took part in a 6-week at sea training cruise for men of the Naval Reserve Officers' Training Corps to the Galapagos Islands and Panama. She then took part in Operation "Miki," a joint Army-Navy amphibious training exercise in the Hawaiian Islands conducted in November.
HELENA then proceeded via Yokosuka and Hong Kong to the Philippines where she conducted training exercises. She returned to Japan in January 1950, and soon after experienced the highlights of her service as flagship of the 7th Fleet when the Joint Chiefs of Staff, then touring the Far East, embarked 2 February 1950. During the remainder of her Far Eastern tour she carried out a schedule of large scale fleet exercises off Okinawa, and visits to Japanese ports. She departed for the United States 21 May 1950.
HELENA's schedule called for a summer spent in Long Beach, followed by overhaul at San Francisco. Suddenly came word of the communist aggression in Korea. Hurriedly, she prepared for sea, and, on 6 July 1950, sped westward. Stopping at Pearl Harbor only to take on ammunition, she plowed across the Pacific and into action on the east coast of Korea. On 7 August, she first unleashed her guns on an enemy target--the railroad marshaling yards, trains, and power plant near Tanchon.
Serving as flagship of the Bombardment Task Group, HELENA pounded enemy positions, aiding immeasurably in keeping the invaders off balance and preventing them from mounting a formidable drive, as United Nations forces prepared to take the offensive. Operations such as hers provided the diversion necessary to cover the powerful amphibious assault into Inchon, 15 September 1950. Later, HELENA provided gunfire support for Korean troops pushing the invaders north along the east coast, and it was HELENA's concentrated firepower that aided in creating a diversion at Samchok, and in the recapture of Pohang.
Valuable as she was in Korean waters, HELENA could no longer put off overhaul and in November 1950 she arrived at Long Beach to prepare for the now twice postponed yard period.
After her overhaul, she reported for duty at Sasebo 18 April 1951, and was assigned to Task Force 77, the fast carrier group making daily air strikes against the enemy. While operating as heavy support for the carriers, HELENA was often detached to pound shore targets. During June 1951, she was occupied almost continually in interdiction fire at targets along the east coast of Korea, then returned to the Task Force. At twilight on a day late in July, HELENA was straddled, then hit by shore gunfire. Damage was light, and swiftly twisting around the harbor in the maneuver which came to be called "the war dance," HELENA delivered rapid continuous fire that destroyed seven enemy gun positions and an ammunition dump. After a short respite at Yokosuka, she returned again to the Task Force, but was soon detached for special duty supporting a massive air strike on supply depots and railroad marshaling yards at Rashin, acting as radar picket.
HELENA's accurate gunnery was next sought by the 8th Army, for whom she fired at 13 targets along the bombline in aid of advancing infantry. Her support to ground forces continued with missions fired for United States Marines and Korean Army units. On 20 September 1951, she returned to Yokosuka. Here, at a ceremony on her decks, President Syngman Rhee of Korea presented to Task Force 95 the first Korean Presidential Unit Citation awarded to a naval unit. HELENA received the award for her operations in the fall of 1950.
After rejoining the Task Force, HELENA was ordered to duty as fire support vessel in the Hungnam-Hamhung area. With her helicopter providing its usual efficient spotting, she fired with great success on rail and highway bridges, marshaling yards and gun positions for the next 2 weeks.
HELENA returned to Long Beach 8 December 1951 and her entire battery of nine 8-inch guns was replaced. In February, she commenced training for return to the Far East. One of the highlights of this training period came 14 to 23 February 1952, when she took part in "Lex Baker One," the largest scale training exercise held since the outbreak of the Korean war. Over 70 ships and 15,000 sailors and Marines took active part in this operation.
HELENA arrived once again at Yokosuka 8 June 1952 and the next day was underway to rendezvous with Task Force 77 off the coast of Korea. For 5 1/2 months her mission again was to burn buildings, destroy gun positions, and smash transportation facilities; all were left in her wake after shore bombardments. She also performed air rescue of pilots, two of which were deep in enemy territory.
On 24 November 1952, HELENA was relieved of her normal duties at Yokosuka and 5 days later sailed on a special mission. She called first at Iwo Jima, where, on 1 December, Admiral Arthur W. Radford, Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, boarded the ship by helicopter to visit briefly. Two days later, she proceeded to Guam, where President-Elect Dwight D. Eisenhower, with several of his prospective cabinet members, and Admiral Radford embarked for passage to Pearl Harbor. Top level policy conferences were held on board. HELENA's distinguished passengers disembarked at Pearl Harbor 11 December 1952 and she returned to Long Beach 16 December.
HELENA departed for the Far East 4 August 1953 to join Task Force 77 on security patrol in the Sea of Japan and after another voyage to the United States for upkeep and training, rejoined the 7th Fleet at Yokosuka as flagship on 11 October 1954. HELENA spent much of her time in waters off Taiwan. The highlights of HELENA's service during this tour of duty came in February 1955 during the evacuation of the Tachen Islands. These off-shore islands posed a possible point of contention between the Nationalist and Communist Chinese; and it was determined to neutralize them by means of evacuation. On 6 February came the "execute" from President Eisenhower, and the fleet, led by HELENA, got underway. By 1500 on 9 February 1955, with HELENA on watchful patrol, all civilians had been removed to safety from the islands--a total of 18,000 people. Early on 12 February, the remaining 20,000 Nationalist troops were removed and, as HELENA steamed on rear guard patrol, the Task Force sailed south.
After 6 months' training in home waters, HELENA again sailed for Yokosuka, arriving 25 January 1956. During the 6 months of this tour of duty, she once more operated primarily in the Taiwan area and briefly in Philippine waters on exercises. She returned to Long Beach 8 July.
Exercises, which included firing of the Regulus I missile from HELENA's launching gear, continued for 9 months; then she headed for another Far East tour 10 April 1957. During the ensuing tour of duty, she played her flagship role fully, combining sea power and diplomacy.
HELENA returned to Long Beach 19 October. Following major overhaul, completed 31 March 1958, and intensive training, including missile launching, she again sailed west.
HELENA's 1958 cruise in the Far East began 3 August. Her first port of call was Keelung, Taiwan, arriving 21 August. Next day, students and faculty of the Taiwan National Defense College were received on board for a tour of the ship. Her schedule next called for a visit to Manila, but the crisis brought on by the Chinese Communist shelling of the off-shore islands governed by the Nationalists interrupted normal operations.
During the next weeks, HELENA patrolled the troubled area. On 7 September, she steamed to within 10 miles of the Chinese mainland, covering Chinese Nationalist supply ships replenishing Quemoy Island. While on this duty, she was illustrating once more the fact that the mere presence of the overwhelming naval strength of the United States is one of the most formidable protections the free world has in determining such aggression.
On 9 October 1958, while off the Philippines, word flashed to HELENA to proceed to the aid of a stricken Norwegian merchant vessel, HOI WONG, aground on Bombay Reef in the Paracel Islands. HELENA reached the scene at 1000, 10 October. Her helicopters rescued men, women and children, whom she transported to Hong Kong. Her men had skillfully and courageously carried out a difficult humanitarian mission, another contribution to strengthening American relationships with Asian nations. HELENA resumed patrol and readiness operations until her return to Long Beach 17 February 1959.
On 5 January 1960, HELENA departed for the Western Pacific in company with YORKTOWN (CVS-10) and her escort of Destroyer Squadron 23. Visits to Korea and to Taiwan prefaced her participation in Operation "Blue Star," one of the largest peacetime amphibious exercises in our history.
After a period in Japan, HELENA sailed with RANGER (CVA-61) and SAINT PAUL (CA-73) to Guam. On 24 April 1960, HELENA, in company with destroyers TAYLOR (DDE-468) and JENKINS (DDE-447), set sail for Australia. She then returned to Long Beach and from June until November underwent extensive overhaul. In mid-January 1961, she became the permanent flagship of Commander, 1st Fleet.
On 17 May 1961, led by the HELENA, 12 1st Fleet ships put on a firepower demonstration for more than 700 members of the American Ordnance Association. In June, HELENA, with eight guests of the Secretary of the Navy on board, cruised to Portland, Oreg., for the Rose Festival.
During the next months, HELENA joined in Exercise Tail Wind, rendezvousing with cruiser LOS ANGELES (CA-135), the guided missile frigate COONTZ (DLG-9) and their destroyer escort to form the largest "Fleet Sail" in 4 years. HELENA visited major ports of the Far East, rode out Typhoon Olga off Hong Kong, then returned to San Diego 6 October; soon to participate in Exercise "Covered Wagon." During the remainder of the year, HELENA participated in a major fleet demonstration observed by the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral George W Anderson. Her last operation of the year was Exercise "Black Bear."
During 1961 and 1962, HELENA operated in West Coast and western Pacific waters, taking part in several amphibious operations with ships of the 1st Fleet and elements of the 1st Marine Division and 3d Marine Air Wing. HELENA embarked foreign and staff officers from the Naval War College, March 1962, and two groups of Navy League members on orientation cruises in June and August.
As the year ended, HELENA was scheduled for inactivation at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. On 18 March 1963, Commander, 1st Fleet shifted his flag to SAINT PAUL. HELENA was placed out of commission in Reserve 29 June 1963. Stricken from the Navy Register on 1 January 1974, HELENA was sold for scrap 13 November that same year.
For her service in the Korean conflict, she was presented the Presidential Unit Citation of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Service Medal with four stars.
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