Commentary: Celebrating legacy with family Published Oct. 2, 2014 By Col. John Breazeale Commander NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas -- Last month we celebrated the 67th birthday of the Air Force. October is our wing's birthday month. More specifically, our birthdate is Oct. 5, 1944. While sharing fun, food and laughter with our family this weekend, we celebrate the history of the 301st Fighter Wing and the 457th Fighter Squadron. On Sunday, our wing turns 70 years old. Our stellar history pre-dates the inception of the U.S. Air Force to the days of the Army Air Corps. From activation to 70th birthday, we have fashioned a cadre of professional Airmen who have served this nation proudly. Have you noticed the numerous streamers on our wing guidon? Our oldest is a post-World War II honor from the Ryukyus Campaign in May 1945, where we performed dive bombings and attacks on shipping and communication lines in the Far East as part of a strategy to defeat Japan in our P-47 Thunderbolts. We also escorted B-29 and B-24 bombers, and provided air defense for Okinawa during the post-war period. Earlier that year, as part of the 506th Fighter Group and stationed in the same region, the 457th Fighter Squadron served at Iwo Jima providing long-range bomber escorts with their P-51 Mustangs. They remained in the Far East until December of 1945. Our lives converged again in 1972 in Fort Worth. Since this time, we have been a keystone in many major campaign operations from World War II to the more recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. After a season of deployments and providing combat-ready Airmen to the warfighter, it is nice to take a break, share a slice of history, and focus on family. Therefore, this weekend I ask you enjoy your families, because they are an integral part of ensuring we train and provide the best combat-ready Airmen in the Air Force. Our legacy extends truly beyond our service's history. Thank you for what you do to make this the best fighter wing in the Air Force!