9/19/2012 - Two 9th Air Force Airmen, Senior Airman Ryan Broach, protocol specialist, and Col. Timothy Hannus, director of operations, cut a cake during a celebration of the Air Force’s 65th birthday Sept. 18, 2012, at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. The gentlemen represented the unit’s youngest and oldest available Airmen. The U.S. officially became an independent military branch Sept. 18, 1947. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda Currier/Released)

9/19/2012 - The 9th Air Force vice commander, Col. Scott Caine, speaks to a crowd about Air Force history during a celebration for the Air Force’s 65th birthday, Sept. 18, 2012, at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. After the colonel’s speech, celebration guests enjoyed birthday cake. U.S. Army Central Command Soldiers stationed at Shaw AFB also attended the celebration to pay tribute to their sister service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Amanda Currier/Released)