UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BIRTHDAY 2021
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, the United States Air Force was established on the 18th September 1947, with the passing of the National Security Act of 1947. The Act created the National Military Establishment, later renamed the United States Department of Defense, which was composed of four of the five branches, the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and a newly created Air Force and
WHEREAS, prior to 1947, the responsibility for military aviation was divided between the Army for land-based operations and the Navy and Marine Corps for sea-based operations from aircraft carrier and amphibious aircraft. The Army created the first antecedent of the Air Force on 1 August 1907, which through a succession of changes of organization, titles, and missions advanced toward eventual separation 40 years later, and
WHEREAS, today, the United States Air Force is the largest, most capable, and most technologically advanced air force in the world, with about 5,778 manned aircraft in service, approximately 156 Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles, 2,130 Air-Launched Cruise Missiles, and 450 intercontinental ballistic missiles. The USAF has 328,439 personnel on active duty, 74,000 in the Selected and Individual Ready Reserves, and 106,000 in the Air National Guard, and
WHEREAS, Air Force Base Seymour Johnson, in Goldsboro represents the heart of the US Air Force presence in the state of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is proud to be home to over 5,482 men and women serving as active-duty officers or enlisted or Reservists, and their family members: and
WHEREAS, the US AIR FORCE motto” Aim High ... Fly-Fight-Win. Integrity first, Service before self, Excellence in all we do” represents the continued commitment of the United States Air Force to remain ever vigilant and always ready to safeguard the citizens of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina has a long and proud history of supporting our military service members, their families, and their communities; and
WHEREAS, today, we seek to demonstrate our sincere gratitude and appreciation towards those who serve and have served in the U.S. Air Force and their families.
NOW, THEREFORE, I Roy Cooper, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 18th, 2021, as the “BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE” in North Carolina, and call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.