Mike Collins: “I today rise to recognize the 70th anniversary of the United States Air Force Reserve, created by President Truman on…”

“I today rise to recognize the 70th anniversary of the United States Air Force Reserve, created by President Truman on April 14, 1948. As a member of the Air Force Reserve, I have been privileged to minister and work with airmen since 2002. I can attest to the courage exhibited by my fellow airmen both here at home and while serving abroad in Iraq together. Since our country's founding, citizens have awaited and answered the call of duty, accomplishing each mission with valor. Air Force reservists, known as Reserve Citizen Airmen, perform leading roles in military operations, humanitarian crises, and disaster relief across the globe. The distinguished group of more than 69,000 Citizen Airmen consists of enlisted military troops, officers, and civil servants tasked by law to support our Armed Forces in the defense of our freedom. The Air Force Reserve traces its roots back to the aeronautical division of the United States Army's Office of the Chief Signal Officer, which took charge of military balloons and air machines in 1907. Ten years later, the first two Air Force Reserve units were deployed to France, as the United States entered World War I, providing the war effort with around 10,000 trained pilots. With 1,500 Reserve pilots and 1,300 nonrated officers and 400 enlisted airmen, reservists later played a critical role in World War II.…”