DISA and JFHQ-DODIN Celebrate 69th Air Force Birthday
Members of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) and Joint Force Headquarters – Department of Defense Information Networks (JFHQ-DODIN) workforce celebrated the Air Force’s 69th Birthday at their joint headquarters on Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, Sept. 15. The official Air Force birthday is Sept. 18.
DISA and JFHQ-DODIN’s celebration was hosted by DISA Vice Director Air Force Maj Gen Sarah Zabel. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Cody served as the guest speaker.
Prior to Cody’s remarks, attendees took a moment to acknowledge the more than 83,000 U.S. servicemembers who remain classified as either prisoners of war (POWs) or are missing in action (MIA) National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed annually on the third Friday of September.
In 1907, only four years after Wilbur and Orville Wright took to the skies for 12 seconds in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the U.S. Congress -- understanding the importance to aviation to modern warfare -- created an aviation section within the Army’s Signal Corps. The Signal Corps’ Aeronautical Division evolved into the Aviation Section in 1914, the Army Air Service in 1918, the Army Air Corps in 1926, and the Army Air Forces in 1941. It wasn’t until President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security of Act of 1947 that the United States Air Force was formally recognized as an independent service.
“It’s amazing how far we’ve come in just those 69 years and how rapidly we will continue to advance because of men and women like you. We have the right people, the right ideas, and the right abilities to get us ahead of this curve,” said Cody regarding the military’s ability to maintain its tactical advantage over its adversaries.
“It’s going to continue to take innovative airmen, innovative teams -- like here at DISA and JFHQ-DODIN -- to figure out how we [will continue make technological advances] in a way that the cost curve doesn’t make it prohibitive and allows us to stay ahead of our would-be adversaries.”
“[The Air Force] proved our might and our value to the nation during World War II (WWII),” said Cody. “At the end of WWII, we looked at the end results and realized where the decisive advantage was. We had great men and women … it was a challenge, a lot of lives lost, but it was also a clear signal to our country that future wars would be fought and won or lost by the ability of our Air Force.”
Aviation remains important to securing the nation’s strategic dominance around the world, and, said Cody, the Air Force remains ready to fight anywhere in the world.
“We are the most professional force we’ve ever been. We have the most technically advanced force we’ve ever had. We are a force that’s engaged in the longest sustained operations in the history of our country — and they continue today,” he said, referencing 25 years of Air Force involvement in conflicts in the Middle East.
“We’ve had a presence of airpower [there], and the capabilities provided by DISA have enabled [the Air Force] to be victorious. So be proud of [those victories] when we celebrate our birthday, we’ve got something to be proud of -- not just that we’re another year older.”
Following Cody’s remarks, Zabel presented him with a plaque containing DISA and JFHQ-DODIN command coins. Attendees stood and recited the Airman’s Creed and sang the Air Force Song.
“Thank you to each and every one of you for what you do for our nation every single day,” said Cody in closing.
Published September 15, 2016