It's the US Air Force's 69th birthday - here are 22 photos of it doing what it does best

USAF

The US Air Force celebrates its official birthday on September 18. Created by the National Security Act after World War II, the Air Force is turning 69 years old today.

In those 69 years, the Air Force has expanded and perfected its ability to take off, land, lift, transport, strike, and observe from the skies over any part of the world.

To celebrate the 69th birthday of the US Air Force, we've compiled some of our favorite photos showing the broad range of planes the USAF flies, the plethora of duties it performs, and the many allies who count on it.