Commander's Comments

This month, we pause to celebrate two holidays, Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. As we enter this holiday season ask yourself, “Why do we celebrate Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving?” To some it is an excuse to take a day off or to gather with their family, while others may focus on the spiritual significance. However, in reality the reasons are based on our country’s past.

Our holidays symbolize important events in our nation’s history. As we gather with our families and friends to celebrate, take a moment to think of what the holidays really represent.

Americans are proud of our history and traditions and serving in the military is no exception. Though the U.S. Air Force is only 52 years old and the airplane a stately 96, the Air Intelligence Agency’s ideological roots are even older. As long as men and women have gone into the air, there has been air intelligence. Air intelligence by its very nature is either combat-related or directed toward the prevention of war. And for several generations, Americans have been on the front lines around the world gathering and using the information gained by their efforts.

As far back as 1794, the French used observation balloons along its border with Belgium. American use of balloons for intelligence gathering dates back to the Civil War when both the Union and Confederate armies sent up observation balloons. However, between 1865 and 1887, the use of balloons by American military units languished. Based on the foresight of Chief Signal Officer Adolphus W. Greely and successful observations from the U.S. Army Signal Corps balloon Santiago in Cuba during the Spanish American War in 1898, aerial intelligence earned a place in the U.S. Army as it prepared to enter World War I.

Though both the Allies and the Central Powers used balloons extensively during World War I, it was the airplane that came into its own during the conflict. Ironically, this advance in technology, designed to gain the advantage over an enemy, prolonged the war. First employed by Gen. John “Blackjack” Pershing during the search for Pancho Villa in 1916, observation aircraft, along with those of our allies and foes, allowed both sides to detect any large scale movement or massing of troops that would precede any attack.

Aerial observation provided the picture to allow more effective use of munitions on enemy trenches ... horrific results deepened the stalemate. The sheer carnage eventually led to the signing of an armistice that ended the fighting on the “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” in 1918. This event represented the origin of Veteran’s Day.

Veteran’s Day, originally called Armistice Day, was unofficially celebrated around the United States Nov. 11 with parades and memorials. However, it was not declared an official holiday by Congress until 1938. Though intended to symbolize the end of World War I, the “War to end all Wars,” World War II demonstrated that was a false hope. In 1953, following the end of World War II and the Korean War, Congress renamed the day Veteran’s Day and declared it was to honor all veterans from America’s past and future conflicts. Americans continued to celebrate the day with parades, public speeches and testimonials until the 1970s. After the Vietnam War, the activities seemed to shift from public displays until it evolved to what it is today. Though there are still parades and speeches, the emphasis seems to be on more quiet vigils and simple, yet powerful and enduring memorials such as “the Wall” honoring the Vietnam veterans who didn’t come back.

In that same vein, we should honor our own and the heritage that is rich with the commitment of men and women who served virtually unnoticed. At AIA we attempt to understand our heritage and give proper recognition to those who truly stand out through their contributions to the agency, the Air Force and the United States of America. The next time you visit AIA, take time to look through our Heritage Center and Hall of Honor to reflect on our agency’s past contributions and the sacrifices made to accomplish our critical mission of defending freedom.

I could list many examples of people, just like you, who made exceptionally significant contributions to the mission of AIA and its predecessors. Since its inception over 50 years ago, Air Intelligence Agency has lost many of our own both in the Cold War, and in combat in Korea and Vietnam. We lost 11 aircrew members from Det. 1, 6911th Radio Group Mobile on Sept. 2, 1958, when they inadvertently strayed off course during a routine navigation mission and were shot down by a MIG-17 over Soviet Armenia.

Even when the adversary is not directly threatening, we place Air Force members in the path of danger. SSgt. Harry L. Parsons III and SSgt. Steven C. Balcer finalized their outstanding service when, March 15, 1981, they were on an ill-fated RC-135 that crashed at Shemya, Alaska. More recently, Sept. 22, 1995, TSgt. Ernie Parrish was killed when the AWACS plane he was aboard crashed. Look at the faces around you to help you realize that those who’ve gone before us were real flesh and blood, not just names in a memorial or article.

We honor not only those who have died in the line of duty, but those military members, past and present, who are “sitting rack,” manning entry control points, and fulfilling many other duties. When we put all of our actions into proper perspective, it should help us realize that the smallest contribution brings us one step closer to the goals we’ve set for ourselves as a nation.

Thanksgiving is another way of acknowledging the results of hard work and the many comforts we have. Again, this holiday has evolved throughout our history. In 1621, the Pilgrims celebrated their first successful harvest and friendship with the Native Americans who helped them survive their first winter in the New World. At that time Thanksgiving did not fall on a specific date each year. Indeed, the various colonies held “thanksgiving” feasts at different times, for diverse reasons.

In the mid-1600s the holiday began to take on the traditions of recognizing a bountiful harvest. But the first nationwide observance was in 1789 when George Washington proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving. Beginning in 1869, annual presidential proclamations declared the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. Not until 1941 did Congress pass a law, once and for all, establishing Thanksgiving as an annual holiday.

We celebrate Thanksgiving because we’re grateful for the freedom and prosperity we have. The men and women of AIA help make that possible. Often, the conditions we serve under are austere to say the least, and we often are many miles from home and family.

So, as the holidays approach, take a few moments and remember why we celebrate Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving ... to give thanks for the freedom and abundance we enjoy and to honor those men and women who make it possible. Thank you for your commitment. I wish you well wherever you may be serving.

Major General John R. Baker
Commander, Air Intelligence Agency