Mighty Eighth Turns 70

8th Air Force officials celebrated the organization’s 70th anniversary on Wednesday during a ceremony at its temporary headquarters in Bossier City, La. Maj. Gen. Seve Wilson, 8th AF commander, read proclamations from local political leaders, honored past and current members of the organization, and took part in cutting the anniversary cake, reported The Shreveport Times. A B-52 bomber also flew overhead during the festivities. Wilson highlighted 8th AF’s accomplishments over the years, from its time striking Nazi Germany during World War II to its bombing runs in Libya last year, according to the newspaper. Eighth Air Force was born as the VIII Bomber Command on Feb. 1, 1942 at Langley Field, Va., according to the Air Force’s official fact sheet. After calling many places home over its early years, the numbered air force settled at Barksdale Air Force Base, east of Bossier City, in 1975. Today, it oversees USAF’s nuclear-capable B-2A and B-52H bombers. It currently operates out of Bossier City until its new headquarters building is completed at Barksdale.