MISSION

Pioneers In Blue Volume II

The roots of today's United States Air Force can be traced back to February, 1910, when Army Lieutenant Benjamin D. Foulois arrived at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, with Signal Corps 'Aeroplane' No. 1. Foulois' "squadron" consisted of one beat-up and much-patched Wright Flyer "B" airplane purchased by the U.S. Army six months earlier, a partially trained pilot who had never taken off, landed, or soloed, a civilian aircraft mechanic, and ten budding enlisted members.

In 2011, we celebrate 101 years of United States military aviation by commemorating the diverse array of men and women who have helped shape the United States Air Force of today. That small group of aerial pioneers believed in their cause of creating an American flying force. With hard work and vision, hundreds of thousands of Airmen have helped transpose that much-patched airplane to a modernized light, lean, and lethal world-class Air Force. It has evolved into a technologically advanced Air Force backed by the dedicated service of all its Airmen.

"Pioneers In Blue" showcases both famous heroes and current Airmen who help support today's Air Force. Veterans old and new have helped shape our Air Force and we would like to chronicle their experiences and lessons learned. Airmen such as Gail Halvorsen, the original "Candy Bomber"; George "Bud" Day, a highly decorated command pilot and five year Prisoner of War in North Korea; and Deanie Parrish, a member of the historic Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).

Additionally, we highlight Airmen who have made an impact through their own personal paths. Veterans such as Sunny Anderson, a former Air Force broadcaster who is now a television host at the Food Network; Sean Halstead, who overcame a serious spinal cord injury to become a world ranked cross-country skier and a Paralympics competitor; and Teresa Doskey, an Operation Iraqi Freedom enlisted veteran who separated from the service to start a family, but has aspirations of continuing her education and eventually returning to the Air Force as an officer.

We proudly honor the devotion and service given by these brave men and women. Their legacy continues to grow to this day as we continue to build on an Air Force that future Airman will be proud to lead and serve in. An Air Force ready to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace, whenever the nation calls.

In October of 2011, the Air Force Public Affairs Agency (AFPAA) will launch Volume 2 of "Pioneers in Blue," a portrait collection showcasing the men and women that have contributed to the legacy of the Air Force. The Airmen highlighted are diverse, from pilots, Tuskegee Airmen, combat controllers, security forces, or television and radio broadcasters who aided in making the Air Force what it is today--the best in the world. Through the Pioneers in Blue project, these service members share their personal stories of how the Air Force has made a difference in their lives. These stories supported in operations from World War II to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Portraits will be displayed in the Pentagon 5th floor, A ring between the 8th and 9th until further notice.