U.S. Air Force Col. Lauren “Falcon” Guibert, left, 8th Mission Support Group commander, and Airman Zen Nelson, 8th Maintenance Squadron munitions support equipment maintenance technician, cut a birthday cake during a ceremony celebrating the 79th U.S. Air Force birthday at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 18, 2026. In keeping with Air Force tradition, the first slice is cut jointly by the highest-ranking officer and the newest enlisted Airman present. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Dylan Maher/U.S. Air Force)
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 8th Force Support Squadron serve birthday cake during a ceremony celebrating the 79th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 18, 2026. The U.S. Air Force was officially established as an independent military service branch on Sept. 18, 1947.
