Air Combat Command

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Logo Design for Air Force Birthday. (U.S. Air Force Graphic by Rosario "Charo" Gutierrez)

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Around ACC Happy Birthday Air Force

Published Sept. 18, 2023
By Public Affairs staff
Air Combat Command

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS --

The 18th of September marks 76 years since the National Security Act of 1947 established the Air Force as a separate military branch. Since its inception, the Air Force has been characterized by innovation and the continuous pursuit of excellence by our Airmen. Air Combat Command Airmen characterize the pursuit of excellence by leveraging readiness and combat capability at the forefront of the world’s best Combat Air Force.

An F-35A Lightning II flown by Maj. Kristin Wolfe, 388th Fighter Wing F-35A Demonstration Team commander, performs a dedication pass during — Dedication pass

An F-35A Lightning II flown by Maj. Kristin Wolfe, 388th Fighter Wing F-35A Demonstration Team commander, performs a dedication pass during an airshow over Kleine Brogel Air Base, Belgium, Sept. 8, 2023. The F-35 Demo Team consists of approximately 15 Airmen to include the pilot and commander, pilot safety officers, superintendent, team chief, maintenance Airmen, aircrew flight equipment specialists and public affairs personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley)

Honoree of The Order of The Sword, Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, poses for a photo. — Order of The Sword- Gen. Mark D. Kelly

Honoree of The Order of The Sword, U.S. Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, poses for a photo with the honor guard on Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., August 30, 2023. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor the enlisted force can bestow upon a military officer for providing significant support and contribution toward the development and welfare of the Airmen to whom they serve. (U.S. Air force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaylen Molden)

U.S. Air Force fire protection Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron stride forward together during the 9/11 memorial ruck march at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, Sept. 11, 2023. Service members from the U.S., Canada, Italy, and Denmark gathered together today for a moment of silence followed by a ruck march in remembrance of the innocent lives lost during the attacks on this fateful day 22 years ago. Sharing the past with our coalition partners secures a brighter future for us all. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Long) — Rucking ‘The Rock’ in Remembrance of 9/11

U.S. Air Force fire protection Airmen from the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron stride forward together during the 9/11 memorial ruck march at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, Sept. 11, 2023. Service members from the U.S., Canada, Italy, and Denmark gathered together today for a moment of silence followed by a ruck march in remembrance of the innocent lives lost during the attacks on this fateful day 22 years ago. Sharing the past with our coalition partners secures a brighter future for us all. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Long)

Khymchenko recently deployed to the United States European command, where he played a pivotal role working with senior leaders, as a translator. Khymchenko His experience and contributions led him to be named as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year and inspired him to pursue becoming an an officer as he continues to serve in the U.S. Air Force. — JBLE Airman strengthens partnership with Ukraine

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kostiantyn Khymchenko, 633d Civil Engineer Squadron heating, ventilation, air conditioning journeyman, poses for a portrait, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, July 25, 2023. Khymchenko recently deployed to the United States European command, where he played a pivotal role working with senior leaders, as a translator. Khymchenko His experience and contributions led him to be named as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year and inspired him to pursue becoming an an officer as he continues to serve in the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaela Smith)

airmen dropping off bag — 552nd Air Control Wing posturing for BMC2 evolution during Agile Thunder

Members of the 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base line up for a mobility bag drop during the Agile Thunder exercise Aug. 14-25, 2023. Agile Thunder is a two-week exercise providing the units a chance to exercise operational readiness and agility while meeting the commander’s intent for Airmen to train at Generating, Employing, Sustaining the force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Clayton Cummins)

A picture of Airmen. — A-10C Thunderbolt II Brings New Lightning

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt Anthony Becerra II and Staff Sgt Williams Sterling, Armament Specialists assigned to the 354th Fighter Generation Squadron, tighten in a screw at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Aug. 22, 2023. The A-10 was designed to provide close air support to friendly ground troops by attacking armored vehicles, tanks and other enemy ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Vaughn Weber)

Group of military members pose in front of an F-35 — One Team: F-35s meet with Qatar Armed Forces

U.S. Air Force Airmen and leadership assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, and Ninth Air Force pose for a photo with service members and leadership assigned to the Qatar Armed Forces in front of an F-35A Lightning II at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Sept. 7, 2023. The F-35’s increased capacity and capability enables the U.S. to conduct operations in contested airspace across the theater when required. The deployed aircraft demonstrated the U.S.’s commitment to ensure peace and security in the region through maritime support and support the coalitions’ enduring mission to defeat ISIS in Syria. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)

A military member gathering a parachute in the desert — US, Qatar strengthen partnership with airborne insertion exercise

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the 165th Quartermaster Brigade Aerial Delivery Company-Airborne Det 1 conducts post airborne procedures during a U.S. Army and Qatar Joint Special Forces airborne insertion exercise in Doha, Qatar, Aug. 17, 2023. The exercise provided an avenue for practicing tactics, techniques, and procedures in a joint environment, while building partnerships between the U.S. and Qatari military. The U.S. Army 165th Quartermaster BADC-A Det 1 teamed up with U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Central to demonstrate their capabilities in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Devin Boyer)

Service member standing inside an aircraft — Agile Spartan 23.2: RJ’s stay on watch

U.S. Air Force Capt. Joshua Strebe, 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron electronics warfare officer, prepares to depart in an RC-135 Rivet Joint during Operation Agile Spartan at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, Aug. 20, 2023. The air expeditionary wings within U.S. Air Forces Central, in cooperation with regional partners, conducted the exercise at cooperative security locations to enhance agile combat employment capability. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Karissa Rodriguez)

A service member pressing switches on an aircraft — Agile Spartan 23.2: RJ’s stay on watch

U.S. Air Force Capt. Nelson Murphy, 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron navigator, prepares the flight deck of an RC-135 Rivet Joint for a mission during Operation Agile Spartan at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, Aug. 20, 2023. The RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft participated in this exercise to demonstrate its support to theater and national level consumers with near real-time, on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gregory Allen, 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron airborne cryptologic language analyst, checks his flight mask on an RC-135 Rivet Joint during Operation Agile Spartan at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, Aug. 20, 2023. This exercise not only highlighted AUAB’s commitment of maintaining readiness and deterrence toward adversaries in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, but also the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing’s ability to rapidly generate combat airpower and engage in agile combat employment scenarios. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern) — Agile Spartan 23.2: RJ’s stay on watch

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Gregory Allen, 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron airborne cryptologic language analyst, checks his flight mask on an RC-135 Rivet Joint during Operation Agile Spartan at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, Aug. 20, 2023. This exercise not only highlighted AUAB’s commitment of maintaining readiness and deterrence toward adversaries in the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, but also the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing’s ability to rapidly generate combat airpower and engage in agile combat employment scenarios. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)

Aircraft refueling another aircraft — Agile Spartan 23.2: RJ’s stay on watch

A U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint assigned to the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker assigned to the 912th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron during Operation Agile Spartan above the U.S. Central Command’s area of responsibility, Aug. 19, 2023. The large-scale exercise reinforced the U.S. commitment to its regional partners across the Middle East through developing and maintaining missions in unpredictable ways, rapidly responding to the needs of joint and coalition commanders. The month-long, multinational operation demonstrated interoperability between regional partners, improved response capabilities, and further enhanced security throughout the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Leon Redfern)

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kyle Carver, U-2 Pilot, 99th Reconnaissance Squadron gets help adjusting and sealing his suit at Yerba Buena island, California on Aug. 17, 2023. — SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE

U.S. Air Force Capt. Kyle Carver, U-2 Pilot, 99th Reconnaissance Squadron gets help adjusting and sealing his suit at Yerba Buena island, California on Aug. 17, 2023. Proper seals in the U-2 suit are important for the pressurization of the suit but also aid in buoyancy during an evacuation that results in a water landing.(U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Colin Smith)

U.S. Air Force Airmen from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, build a cargo palette to load munitions during the Air Force Combat Operations Competition, Aug. 22, 2023, at Beale AFB, California. — Air Force Combat Operations Competition 2023

U.S. Air Force Airmen from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, build a cargo palette to load munitions during the Air Force Combat Operations Competition, Aug. 22, 2023, at Beale AFB, California. The cargo palettes are utilized to store essential items to build munitions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Frederick A. Brown)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Miles (right), 125th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron (EFGS) crew chief, inspects a maintenance hatch on a Eurofighter Typhoon with a maintainer from the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) during Operation Agile Spartan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Aug. 21, 2023. During the exercise, RSAF and 125th EFGS maintainers toured each other's aircraft to see how each partner nation performs their maintenance duties. Agile Spartan 23.2 is a multinational operation aimed at strengthening interoperability, improving response capabilities, and furthering security cooperation initiatives throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank) — 125th EFGS tours Eurofighter Typhoon with RSAF counterparts

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Miles (right), 125th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron (EFGS) crew chief, inspects a maintenance hatch on a Eurofighter Typhoon with a maintainer from the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) during Operation Agile Spartan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Aug. 21, 2023. During the exercise, RSAF and 125th EFGS maintainers toured each other's aircraft to see how each partner nation performs their maintenance duties. Agile Spartan 23.2 is a multinational operation aimed at strengthening interoperability, improving response capabilities, and furthering security cooperation initiatives throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 125th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron takes flight during Operation Agile Spartan 23.2, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Aug. 20, 2023. Agile Spartan 23.2 is a multinational operation aimed at strengthening interoperability, improving response capabilities, and furthering security cooperation initiatives throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The exercise provides a chance for U.S. forces and its regional partners to validate and expand the number of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) locations from which coalition air forces can generate combat missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank) — 125th EFS takes flight during Operation Agile Spartan

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 125th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron takes flight during Operation Agile Spartan 23.2, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Aug. 20, 2023. Agile Spartan 23.2 is a multinational operation aimed at strengthening interoperability, improving response capabilities, and furthering security cooperation initiatives throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The exercise provides a chance for U.S. forces and its regional partners to validate and expand the number of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) locations from which coalition air forces can generate combat missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Alexander Frank)

plane takes off — 552nd Air Control Wing posturing for BMC2 evolution during Agile Thunder

An E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System takes off from Tinker Air Force Base during the Agile Thunder exercise Aug. 14-25, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Hybers)

A military member gathering a parachute in the desert — US, Qatar strengthen partnership with airborne insertion exercise

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the 165th Quartermaster Brigade Aerial Delivery Company-Airborne Det 1 conducts post airborne procedures during a U.S. Army and Qatar Joint Special Forces airborne insertion exercise in Doha, Qatar, Aug. 17, 2023. The exercise provided an avenue for practicing tactics, techniques, and procedures in a joint environment, while building partnerships between the U.S. and Qatari military. The U.S. Army 165th Quartermaster BADC-A Det 1 teamed up with U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Central to demonstrate their capabilities in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Devin Boyer)

Embedded Health Engagement Team at Jamaica Defense Forces Medical Center — Jamaican-born Airman reconnects with her roots

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Oshin Mullings, a physical therapy technician with the 633rd Operational Medical Readiness Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., demonstrates physical therapy techniques alongside a Jamaican soldier as part of a collaborative healthcare visit at the Jamaica Defense Forces Medical Center in Kingston. This Embedded Health Engagement Team shared best practices to help boost Jamaica’s military medical readiness, strengthening relationships and building trust with this U. S. partner in the Caribbean.

Both F-15EX Eagle II aircraft attached to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53d Wing, and 40th Flight Test Squadron, 96th Test Wing, return from a test mission over the Gulf of Mexico, Aug. 2, 2023. The F-15EX recently completed Integrated Test & Evaluation Phase I, with the data currently being analyzed by the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center and Office of the Secretary of Defense Director of Operational Test and Evaluation for final reporting to steer a full rate production decision determination in the coming months (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. John McRell) — F-15EX employs Standoff Precision Guided Munitions, completes Integrated Test and Evaluation Phase 1

Both F-15EX Eagle II aircraft attached to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, 53d Wing, and 40th Flight Test Squadron, 96th Test Wing, return from a test mission over the Gulf of Mexico, Aug. 2, 2023. The F-15EX recently completed Integrated Test & Evaluation Phase I, with the data currently being analyzed by the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center and Office of the Secretary of Defense Director of Operational Test and Evaluation for final reporting to steer a full rate production decision determination in the coming months (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. John McRell)

Aircraft flying — Hosting lethality: F-35s arrive at AUAB

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and three Qatar Emiri Air Force F-15 Eagles fly in formation over Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Sept. 5, 2023. In coordination with regional allies, partners, and the U.S. Navy, the F-35s partnered with A-10 and F-16s in the U.S. Central Command theater to monitor the Strait of Hormuz. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Leah Ferrante)

Staff Sgt. Cameron Cullen, a student with the 68th Rescue Squadron Formal Training Unit, jumps from a plane — Head over heels

Staff Sgt. Cameron Cullen, a student with the 68th Rescue Squadron Formal Training Unit, jumps from a plane during the Combat Leader Course over Marana, Ariz., Aug. 14, 2023. The CLC trains the next generation of Air Force pararescuemen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devlin Bishop)

Gen Mark Kelly, commander Air Combat Command introduces the new William Tell Competition “Lt. Col. James Harvey III F-15 Wing Award." — ACC commander announces new award

U.S. Air Force Gen Mark Kelly, commander Air Combat Command introduces the new William Tell Competition “Lt. Col. James Harvey III F-15 Wing Award” during the competition’s ceremony dinner at the Air Dominance Center in Savannah, Ga. The new award is named in honor of retired Air Force Lt. Col. Harvey, (left) a member of the storied 332nd Fighter Group of the Tuskegee Airmen and winners of the “Best Overall Team Award” during the first-ever gunnery meet held in 1949 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Air and ground crews will compete for best of the best recognition at the 2023 William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons meet, the first fighter competition of its kind in nearly two decades.

An MQ-9 Reaper, piloted by the 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron, fires an Air-to-Ground Missile-114 Hellfire missile — Fear the Reaper

An MQ-9 Reaper, piloted by the 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron, fires an Air-to-Ground Missile-114 Hellfire missile over the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nev., Aug. 30, 2023. The 556th TES performs all software and physical testing to improve the combat capabilities of the MQ-9 Reaper. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Victoria Nuzzi)

12OAY — 12OAY

The 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2023 pose in front of the Capital building in Washington, DC., Sept. 13, 2023. The Airmen were selected based on their leadership, job performance and personal achievement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Olivia Stecker)

A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 aircraft assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Attack Squadron, prepares for an Operation Agile Spartan mission departing from Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, August 21, 2023. This MQ-9 and three others conducted the 386 AEW's first full air tasking order (ATO) cycle using satellite launch and recovery (SLR), providing crucial time-sensitive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to leaders throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility. (This photo has been altered for security purposes) (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Isaac Garden) — Agile Spartan

A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 aircraft assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Attack Squadron, prepares for an Operation Agile Spartan mission departing from Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, August 21, 2023. This MQ-9 and three others conducted the 386 AEW's first full air tasking order (ATO) cycle using satellite launch and recovery (SLR), providing crucial time-sensitive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to leaders throughout the CENTCOM area of responsibility. (This photo has been altered for security purposes) (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Isaac Garden)

Ambassadors and Airmen pose next to an RQ-4 — Air Force Wounded Warrior ambassadors

Air Force Wounded Warrior ambassadors, and program staff pose for a group photo, at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Aug. 25, 2023. The team visited Grand Forks AFB for two days, introducing the AFW2 program to multiple squadrons on base and allowing Airmen to hear the ambassadors’ personal testimonies of how AFW2 supported them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Colin Perkins)

Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat command during the Order of the Sword — Order of The Sword- Gen. Mark D. Kelly

U.S. Air Force Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat command, receives applause during the Order of the Sword on Langley AFB, August 30, 2023. The Order of the Sword is the highest honor the enlisted force can bestow upon a military officer for providing significant support and contribution toward the development and welfare of the Airmen to whom they serve. (U.S. Air force photo by Staff Sgt. Jaylen Molden)