Servicemembers in Afghanistan honor Air Force birthday

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio
  • Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan Public Affairs
KABUL, Afghanistan (AFPN) --  Servicemembers from the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan honored the 61st anniversary of the Air Force Sept. 18 during a ceremony at Camp Eggers here.

The day's celebration struck a cord with CSTC-A Airmen who work to mentor and advise members of the Afghan National Army air corps, the emerging airpower force of the Afghan National Army.

The Air Force was established on Sept. 18, 1947, when the National Security Act was signed by President Harry S. Truman. Currently, the force has a strength of more than 300,000 personnel and more than 5,000 aircraft.

"President Truman not only created a separate air force, he built the foundation for today's Air Force, the most powerful air force in the world," said Maj. Gen. Jay H. Lindell, the Combined Air Power Transition Force commanding general. "Although the ceremony was short, the journey to get here was not.

"Although a lot of things have changed since 1947, one thing has not. Airmen are the heart of our Air Force," he said. "Without the dedication of our trained and motivated Airmen, even the best technology is useless. The swiftest planes, the most powerful satellites are nothing without the people who supply, operate and maintain them."

Lt. Col. Mathies Santos, a Reserve Airman deployed from Quonset Point, R.I., said celebrating the Air Force's birthday in Afghanistan was a the opportunity of a lifetime.

"You sort of lose track of different dates sometimes over here, but this one really stands out," he said. "We're celebrating our 61st , and we are helping to stand up the Afghan air corps. To be part of history and to help the Afghans rebuild their proud air force, it's really amazing."

Colonel Santos, as the oldest Airman at Camp Eggers, joined General Lindell and the youngest Airman, Airman 1st Class Jordan Ramsey, a security forces Airman deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to cut the traditional birthday cake.

After the cake cutting, servicemembers recited the Airman's Creed and sang the Air Force song.

"Like the many heroes who have gone before us, we must embody the virtues of honor, valor and devotion that have been the soul of Airmen since the earliest day of powered flight," General Lindell said. "It is our obligation to continue the finest traditions of Air Force honor, to fly, fight and win."