Salutations to all Airmen on Air Force Day

“I remind all of our citizens that the air power of the nation is essential to the preservation of our liberty, and that the continued development of the science of air transportation is vital to the trade and commerce of a peaceful world.” President Harry S. Truman

President Truman ordered the establishment and celebration of the first Air Force Day on August 1, 1947 to recognize “…the personnel of the victorious Army Air Forces and all those who have developed and maintained our nation's air strength.”

It was originally celebrated by the (then) US Army Air Forces and not the USAF. The date was chosen to echo the date of the establishment of the “Aeronautical Division in the Office of the Chief Signal Officer of the Army”, which occurred in 1907.

Salutations to all in the Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard today.

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