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MSCoE CG and CSM Send: Happy 77th Birthday, U.S. Air Force

By Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, and MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge ArzabalaSeptember 10, 2024

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — On Sept. 18, we celebrate the United States Air Force birthday. For the past 77 years, our sister force has continued to deliver airpower anytime, anywhere, in defense of our nation.

Between 1909 and 1947, the U.S. Air Force did not exist as a separate and independent military service organization. Originally called the Aeronautical Division, it was responsible for securing the first motorized military aircraft and training curriculum for military aviators. As aviation capabilities became increasingly important in the first half of the 20th century, on Sept. 18, 1947, President Harry Truman established the United States Air Force as its own branch of service by signing the National Security Act.

Today, the U.S. Air Force provides air superiority, global strike, rapid global mobility, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and command and control, while developing Airmen and technology for war fighting and integrating operations.

Fort Leonard Wood is proud to host and train with the Air Force’s 368th Training Squadron here in the heart of our nation. The 368th TRS provides initial skills and advanced level training in the areas of civil engineer, pavements and equipment, emergency management, engineering, and logistics readiness ground transportation. Through its interservice partnership on Fort Leonard Wood, the 368th TRS also supports initial entry training for Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Engineers and Chemical Corps members.

Happy Birthday, Air Force, we are proud to serve with you!

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