USO Canteen Freeper Style USAF Happy Birthday .... September 18,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and AntiJen

[Snow Bunny]

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Happy 55th Birthday to the U.S. Air Force

The first heavier-than-air flight took place in 1903 when man went aloft in hot air balloons which were used for aerial observation in the American Civil War, Franco-Prussian War, and American campaigns in Cuba. Air balloons over the battlefield provided rapid, accurate reconnaissance of enemy forces. Steerable airships, or dirigibles, were the logical replacements for balloons, but air power developed from the epic, controlled-power flight of Wilbur and Orville Wright which occurred at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on Dec. 17, 1903.

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 nation’s defense and one of its chief hopes for deterring war.

Under the National Security Act, the functions assigned to the Army Air Force’s 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

Air Force Medal of Honor Recipients

US Air Force Academy

Famous Air Force Aircraft

World War I

World War II

Korean War

Vietnam War

Famous Aerial Operations

US Air Force Museum

Air Force Vision

- Global vigilance, reach and power.

Air Force Mission

- The mission of the U.S. Air Force is to defend the United States and protect its interests through aerospace power

Air Force Management

The Department of the Air Force incorporates all elements of the U.S. Air Force. It is administered by a civilian secretary appointed by the president and is supervised by a military chief of staff. The Secretariat and Air Staff help the secretary and the chief of staff direct the Air Force mission.

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.

Field Organizations

The nine major commands, 35 field operating agencies, four direct reporting units and their subordinate elements constitute the field organization that carries out the Air Force mission. In addition, there are two Reserve components, the Air Force Reserve, which is also a major command, and the Air National Guard.

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.

Major Commands Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va. Air Education and Training Command, Randolph AFB, Texas Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio Air Force Reserve Command, Robins AFB, Ga. Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colo. Air Force Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Fla. Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, Ill. Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, Hawaii United States Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein AB, Germany

Historic Air Force Songs

Itazuke Tower

(Tune of "Wabash Cannonball")

"Itazuke Tower, this is Air Force 801,
I'm turning on the downwind leg, my prop has overrun;
My coolant's overheated, the gauge says 1-2-1,
You'd better get the crash crew out and get them on the run."

"Listen, Air Force 801, this is Itazuke Tower,
I cannot call the crash crew out, this is their coffee hour;
You're not cleared in the pattern, now that is plain to see,
So take it once around again, you're not a VIP."

"Itazuke Tower, this is Air Force 801,
I'm turning on my final, I'm running on one lung,
I'm gonna land this Mustang no matter what you say,
I'm gonna get my charts squared up before that Judgment Day."

"Now listen Air Force 801, this is Itazuke Tower,
We'd like to let you in right now, but we haven't got the power,
We'll send a note through channels and wait for the reply,
Until we get permission back, just chase around the sky."

"Itazuke Tower, this is Air Force 801,
I'm up in Pilot's Heaven and my flying days are done;
I'm sorry that I blew up, I couldn't make the grade,
I guess I should have waited till the landing was okayed."

Let's Have a Party

Parties make the world go round
World 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...

[Duke809]

Happy Birthday USAF, from the boys of the 704th TASS, going out of business since 1984

And for you guys from the 37th ARRS, DaNang SVN, here's an oldie but goodie from Bull Durham

Jolly Green, to the tune of "Abliene"

Jolly Green ... Jolly Green
It's all painted brown and green
Well the prettiest bird that I've ever seen is Jolly Green, My Jolly Green

Got shot down late last night
Flack and the missiles were hitting just right
Got on the horn with all my might and called Jolly Green, My Jolly Green

Jolly Green ... Jolly Green
It's all painted brown and green
Well the prettiest bird that I've ever seen is Jolly Green, My Jolly Green

I sit alone high in a tree
Afraid of Charlie as I can be,
Wish to the Lord that I could see that Jolly Green, My Jolly Green,

Sounds of rotors now I've heard,
Here comes that great big whirley bird
The PJ's cable now I've seen on Jolly Green, My Jolly Green

Jolly Green ... Jolly Green
It's all painted brown and green
Well the prettiest bird that I've ever seen is Jolly Green, My Jolly Green

"That Others May Live"
Motto of the USAF Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service

Duke809, Tsgt USAF
Crew Chief, Observer and Passenger, OV-10 68-03809
704th Tactical Air Support Squadron
"Cleared Hot and Hit My Smoke!"

[ArrogantBustard]

Here's another cute little toy

[ArrogantBustard]

Another early ICBM:

This one's an "Atlas". The first one was "Thor" (technically an IRBM), the second was "Titan".

[tomkow6]

I'm off to the dentist.

Sounds like a "drilling" experience to me! LOL!

[BringingUpPatriots]

Amen, Coteblanche!

I concur wholeheartedly!

Happy Birthday USAF!!!!!!
Great job, Jen!
BUPPY

[Gritty]

USAF Museum History Pre-WWII History RATO Flying Tigers

Pilot Officer John G. Magee, Jr.

High Flight was composed by Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr., an American serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was born in Shanghai, China in 1922, the son of missionary parents, Reverend and Mrs. John Gillespie Magee; his father was an American and his mother was originally a British citizen. He came to the U.S. in 1939 and earned a scholarship to Yale, but in September 1940 he enlisted in the RCAF and was graduated as a pilot. He was sent to England for combat duty in July 1941. In August or September 1941, Pilot Officer Magee composed High Flight and sent a copy to his parents. Several months later, on December 11, 1941 his Spitfire collided with another plane over England and Magee, only 19 years of age, crashed to his death. His remains are buried in the churchyard cemetery at Scopwick, Lincolnshire. "High Flight" Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew - And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

[Wilum]

Yeah but she was a good bird.

Weapons; F-100D/F 307th TFS 66-70

Wilum

[ArrogantBustard]

Then there was solid fuel! Here's Minuteman III, at launch:

And here's one you can go look at:

[Gritty]

Capt. Lance Sijan and Capt. Joe Ross On Nov. 9, 1967, the F-4 flown by 1st Lt. Lance P. Sijan of Milwaukee, Wisc., was hit by North Vietnamese ground fire and exploded. Although badly wounded he was able to parachute from his stricken plane.

Even with no food and very little water he managed to avoid capture for 45 days. Because of a serious compound fracture of the left leg, he was unable to walk but did manage to pull himself backward through the jungle. Even with a broken leg, a skull fracture, and a mangled right hand he was able to escape shortly after his initial capture. Upon recapture he was taken to Vinh and thrown into a bamboo cell. He was 'interrogated' repeatedly, and in spite of his captors technique of twisting his damaged right hand he refused to disclose any information but his name. When not being 'interrogated' he attempted additional escapes with the only results being beatings.

Lt Sijan was soon moved to a POW camp at Hanoi. Even in his pitiful condition, he attempted more escapes all meeting with failure. His physical condition continued to weaken without proper food or medical attention and soon he developed additional respiratory problems. After many months of ill treatment, his health, but not his spirit, broke and one night he was dragged deliriously from his cell and never seen again.

Lt Sijan was promoted posthumously to Captain on June 13, 1968. On March 4, 1976 he was awarded posthumously the Medal of Honor which was presented to his parents by President Gerald Ford. Captain Sijan thus became the first graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy to receive our nations highest decoration for heroism above and beyond the call of duty.

When Lance Sijan was a cadet at the USAF Academy, one of his friends and fellow team mates on the junior varsity football team was Joe Ross. Later both would serve in Vietnam, both fly the same type of aircraft and both die in the service of their country within months of each other.

The 1963 USAF Academy Junior Varsity Squad.
Cadet Lance Sijan is standing in the first row, second from the left.
Cadet Joe Ross is on the far left of the second row.

Joe Ross was sent to South Vietnam in June 1968 as an F-4 pilot. His brother, Steve was also stationed in Vietnam as an aircraft propeller mechanic. Through a twist of fate Steve was sent temporarily to Joe's base on a duty assignment. During that short period, the brothers spent their off-duty time reminiscing about home and family.

In the early morning of Aug. 1, 1968, Joe led an armed reconnaissance flight of two F-4D's near Ban Karai, North Vietnam. Spotting enemy trucks, the flight dropped flares and Joe's plane dove to attack. The crew of the second F-4D saw a large explosion on the ground and all attempts to contact Joe's F-4 by radio failed to get a response.

Several hours later, as Steve was preparing to board an airplane for return to his own base, he was approached by two USAF officers. It was their difficult task to tell Steve his brother was missing. Whether Capt. Ross died or had been captured and never reported as such, is unknown. But on Mar. 14, 1975, Capt. Ross's status was officially changed from missing-in-action to killed-in-action, although his real status will never be known.

[ArrogantBustard]

And, of course there's Peacekeeper:

[wattsmag2]

Morning Miss Bunny

[HiJinx]

Yes, we've missed you, but what a trip!
It sounds like it was definitely worth it...
I know you've already done this, but, again...please tell your sons how proud we are of them and their service to our nation!

HJ

[ArrogantBustard]

[GatorGirl]

Ladies, the thread today is outstanding, as always. It just keeps getting better and better at the Canteen.

I'm hosting a little soiree at my place this evening, but I will try to get on late if I'm not too exhausted.

Can someone do me a favor a freepmail me a list of our FRiends who have served or are serving in the USAF? That would help me A LOT! Thanks!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USAF!!!!

Love, GG