JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Looking at our aircraft now, it may be hard to believe that American air power started with Benjamin Franklin thinking about using hot-air balloons in warfare in 1783.
Fast-forward to today, the C-17 Globemaster III and F-22 Raptors are frequently seen in the Hawaiian skies projecting power and securing peace across the Indo-Pacific.
As the Air Force celebrates its 73rd birthday, the heart of our service is always the Airmen.
Recently two JBPHH Airmen and a Schofield Barracks Soldier came to the aid of a Honolulu Police Department officer, who is thankfully doing well after being thrown off her motorcycle following a crash. In another instance, a JBPHH Airman used his skills from the Air Force to ease tensions with a disruptive airline passenger, helping to safeguard all of the passengers on board.
Our Airmen do extraordinary things each day, such as spending countless hours transporting 14 vintage warbirds with zero safety mishaps to celebrate the 75th commemoration of World War II and posturing to rescue two American astronauts in the Pacific region in support of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.
JBPHH Airmen are leading diversity, inclusion, and belongingness efforts as the Air Force works to recruit and retain diverse Airmen to ensure the service is culturally competent and operationally effective.
The Air Force has more work to do to better leverage the diversity among Airmen. However, it also makes me proud to be an Airman knowing Gen C.Q. Brown, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Chief Master Sergeant JoAnne Bass, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, are leading the Air Force. Both with ties to Hawaii, Brown, who is the former Pacific Air Forces commander, is the first African American service chief, and Bass, who was born in Mililani, is the first woman and first Asian American to serve as the highest ranking noncommissioned member of a U.S. military service.
At 73 years young, there are no signs of the Air Force slowing down, largely due to the service’s continued focus on innovation.
As an example, the TRON team composed of JBPHH Airmen created a flight scheduling application, called Puckboard, in less than 8 months. In the future, this application can be adapted across the Department of Defense. Another Airman developed a faster and safer way to install an air-to-air interrogator on an F-22.
It is impossible to think of the Air Force’s 73rd birthday without also acknowledging the COVID-19 global pandemic.
As the world quickly adopted to the “new normal,” so did JBPHH Airmen. Our 15th Medical Group quickly changed how they operated to take care of our Airmen and families while also implementing protocol to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Airmen from the 535th Airlift Squadron transported medical professionals to Guam and the 735th Air Mobility Squadron partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Federal Emergency Management Agency to deliver more than 31,000 pounds critical supplies to the Marianas Islands. Many Airmen sprang into action by making face masks and shields to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Our Airman also collected more than 500 pounds of food to help the local Hawaiian community.
The critical role Hawaii plays in the legacy of AIR POWER actually predates the Air Force. The earliest record of an Army Air Corps unit in Hawaii belongs to the 6th Aero Squadron, which was designated as the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps in the Hawaiian Department. The 6th Aero Squadron arrived March 13, 1917, from San Diego, California, and was stationed at Fort Kamehameha.
As a testament to our appreciation for the Hawaiian community, the 15th and 154th Wings flew across the Hawaiian Islands to salute the frontline works battling COVID-19 and everyone who is doing their part to spread Aloha and not germs.
Just as COVID-19 showed the world, we never know what the next challenge will be. The Air Force continues to organize, train, and equip, to be ready for anything that threatens the American way of life. Most notably, the establishment of the U.S. Space Force increases the United States’ competitive edge in space.
Taking care of the mission starts at home. To our Hawaiian community, mahalo for sharing the Aloha Spirit with our Airmen. To our ohanas, thank you for your continued love and support of your Airmen. To the Sky Warriors, you all are amazing Airmen to work with. I smile each day when I hear about your accomplishments. Thank you for being part of the world’s great Air Force. Please join me in celebrating the Air Force’s birthday. I salute you and your dedication to our nation.
Happy 73rd birthday, Air Force!