Big Apple throws big Air Force birthday party Published Sept. 30, 2014 By Capt. Allison Ecung 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs NEW YORK -- On September 18th, the U.S. Air Force celebrated 67 years as a separate independent service. Celebrations were held across the country as Airmen around the globe commemorated this momentous occasion in our service's history and New York City was not to be outdone. Prior to 1947, the Air Force was a branch of the Army responsible for close air support for ground troops as well as surveillance and reconnaissance. Pioneers like Maj. Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell argued for a more comprehensive use of air power, particularly with the strategic use of bombers in warfare. On Sept. 18, 1947, President Truman signed the executive order recognizing the Air Force as a separate branch of service equal to the Army and Navy. New York has a special relationship with the Air Force since before its formation as an independent service. In 1918, former New York City Mayor John Purroy Mitchel trained as an Air Service pilot. Upon his untimely death in a crash, Mitchel Air Force Base also known as Mitchel Field located on Long Island was named for him. For the 67th birthday, the city rolled out the red carpet for all Airmen. Fox News provided a birthday cake and honored Senior Airman Amanda Martino for her outstanding service. Members of the 514th Air Mobility Wing received a special tour of the NASDAQ exchange and were invited to ring the opening bell with the president and founder of Financial Technologies Forum, LLC. Over at Good Morning America, Michael Strahan, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, stopped by as Airmen waited with the crowd to wish the Air Force a happy birthday, while on the Today Show, Air Force members took 'selfies' with host Hoda Kotb and received cheers from the crowd. HBO held a reception to honor the occasion with its chairman and chief executive officer, Richard Plepler, and Loree Sutton, Mayor's Office of Veterans' Affairs commissioner for New York City and retired Army Brig. Gen. and psychiatrist. The day ended with a celebration in Bryant Park with Maj. Gen. Verle Johnston, New York Air National Guard commander as the guest speaker. The Air Force Heritage of America Band ensemble "Full Spectrum" performed for everyone in attendance. Hundreds of civilian and military personnel attended the reception which included an official presentation of a mayoral proclamation by Sutton and a traditional cake cutting ceremony by Johnston and Martino with an Air Force saber. Following the ceremony, cake was served to everyone as Full Spectrum finished its set with popular music and medleys.