Sept. 16, 2007 — A group of proud Virgin Islands airmen joined their counterparts nationwide in commemorating the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force on Saturday at the Air National Guard Headquarters near Estate Golden Grove.
On Saturday, members of the 285th Combat Communications Squadron, based on St. Croix, took time to celebrate their achievements in a brief ceremony that also included a tour of state-of-the art communications equipment.
The Air Force came into being on Sept. 18, 1947, when W. Stuart Symington was sworn in as the first Secretary of the Air Force. His appointment effectively transferred all air activities from the Army to the new Air Force, authorized by President Harry S Truman as an independent branch of the armed forces when he approved the National Security Act of 1947.
The Air Force would later become known as the “first line of defense” in the post-war world.
During Saturday’s commemoration, members of the 285th squadron also took time to honor their own, notably Henry Rohlsen and Herbert Heywood, Sr., two of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II.
“The Tuskegee Airmen played a big role in the history of the Air Force,” said Cenita Heywood, whose V.I. Tuskegee Airmen chapter is one of more than 60 formed nationwide to honor the men and their contributions. Heywood, who said she and her siblings are working on a book to chronicle their father’s accomplishments and that of Rohlsen, said that most Virgin Islanders don't know that important piece of their history.
“We have not one but two Tuskegee Airmen with roots in the Virgin Islands,” she said. “We did a segment asking people if they knew who Henry Rohlsen and Herbert Heywood were and they would say ‘I don’t know, but I know the airport is named after one of them.’” The St. Croix airport which is named for Rohlsen.
Heywood, a retired Air Force tech sergeant, said that the military and the Air Force run deep in her family. Five of her nine siblings joined the military, she said.
On Saturday, members of the Family Support Group of the Air National Guard were also on hand, providing decorations and food, according to Lt. Laurie Bohlke, public affairs officer.
Bohlke said that in addition to recognizing the milestones of the Air Force and achievements of the squadron, it was also a time to thank retirees and members of the Family Support Group — conspicuous in matching purple polo shirts.
In addition to Heywood, Command Chief Master Sgt. Charles Farrell and Major William L. Sherrill, commander of the 285th Squadron, gave brief remarks. Farrell stressed the importance of the airmen being good ambassadors, noting “one of our most remarkable skills remains largely untapped.
“Your actions, behavior, and words — both on and off duty — have a great impact on your host nation or local community’s perception of America and our Air Force,” Farrell told the group.
He said over 200,000 Air Force members carry out daily missions for combatant commanders around the world with 26,000 deployed and working “hand-in-glove” with international partners.
“More than ever, we depend on our allied airmen to succeed and they depend on us,” he said. “We must fly and fight as one.”
Locally, the 285th Combat Communications Squadron provides combat communication and assists the local government
during natural disasters, according to Farrell.
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