Brig. Gen. Philip Garrant, vice commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center, officiated a ceremonial cake cutting at Los Angeles AFB, as SMC celebrated the 70th anniversary of the United States Air Force.
<p>Drawing its heritage from the Army Air Corps, and later, the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II, President Harry S.Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 on July 26, 1947, on board the VC-54C presidential aircraft, "Sacred Cow." The act, effective Sept. 18, established the U.S. Air Force as an independent service, making the Sacred Cow the “birthplace” of the U.S. Air Force. The act also created the Department of Defense, which consisted of three subordinate military departments – the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force. Since its beginning in 1947, the Air Force has become the largest and most technically advanced air force in the world.
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Featured guest speaker for Monday's event was retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Thomas Taverney, former vice commander of Air Force Space Command. Gen. Garrant then joined Capt. Amber Deriggi, Ms. Joy White, Mr. Brian Song, Master Sgt. Johnathan Dukes and Tech. Sgt. Jack Craven to cut a piece of cake with ceremonial swords provided by the SMC Honor Guard. (U. S. Air Force photos/ Joseph M. Juarez Sr.)
U.S. Space Force image by <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.dvidshub.net/portfolio/1103095">Joseph Juarez Sr.</a>
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