Stanley McChrystal

As the U.S. winds down the Afghan war, the government is eyeing a much reduced military force — to its lowest level since World War II. Here, soldiers from the U.S. Army's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, salute during the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during a homecoming ceremony

The United States Air Force (USAF) can trace its history back to its original inception date on September 18, 1947, following the signing of the National Security Act of 1947 by President Harry S. Truman. The creation of the National Security Act that led to the formation of the Air Force evolved from an agreement in 1946 between two Generals that the time was right to create a stronger, more capable military division. When General Dwight D. Eisenhower was serving as the Army Chief of Staff, he and General Carl A. Spaatz made the decision to transition the military unit of the Army Air Forces into that of the United States Air Force on January 29, 1946.

WASHINGTON — Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal retired on Friday with the full pageantry of a 17-gun salute, an Army marching band and an emotional send-off from the secretary of defense, but with his own acknowledgment that he was not leaving the military on his own terms.

“Look, this has the potential to be an awkward or even a sad occasion,” he told 500 guests on the historic parade ground of Fort McNair, in his first public comments since he was fired by President Obama. He added, “My service did not end as I would have wished.”

But General McChrystal, who was relieved of his command of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan last month after he and his aides were quoted in a Rolling Stone article making disparaging remarks about Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and other top civilian leaders, also took the occasion to joke about his circumstances.

“I have stories on all of you, photos on many,” he told his old friends in the crowd. Then he suggested that he had just the method for making those stories public, adding, “And I know a Rolling Stone reporter.” The crowd broke into laughter, then applause.

Former Army specialist, now Sgt. Justin J. Earnhart, assigned to the 470th Military Intelligence Brigade, was named the U.S. Army Soldier of the Year Oct. 11 during the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting for placing as the top Soldier while competing in the U.S. Army’s Best Warrior Competition