On the recordApril 18, 2013
this year marks the 65th anniversary of the Air Force Reserve, created by President Harry S. Truman on April 14, 1948. Since the founding of the United States, citizens have answered the call to arms, accomplished their mission with professionalism and honor, and returned to their civilian lives to await the next call to serve. Truman envisioned a new Reserve component to continue this tradition of service--being ready when called upon--that was founded by the Army Air Service reservists of the First World War who flew wood and canvas bi-planes. The forerunner of our modern Air Force Reserve was authorized by the National Defense Act of 1916. Today, Air Force reservists, known as citizen airmen, perform leading roles in military operations, humanitarian crises, and disaster relief around the globe. The Air Force Reserve consists of officers, enlisted, and civil servants who are tasked by law to fill the needs of the Armed Forces wherever necessary. More than 860,000 people make up the Ready, Standby, Retired, and Active-Duty Retired Reserve. This includes 70,000 selected reservists who are ready now and serve on the frontlines of daily military operations around the globe. The creation of the Air Force Reserve followed the birth of the Air Force itself by about 7 months earlier on September 18, 1947. The newly created Air Force had gained its independence from the Army, tracing its roots back to the Aeronautical Division of the U.S.…
