Doris Nash

Lackland Air Force Base, located in San Antonio, Texas, was established in 1941 as part of the United States' mobilization efforts during World War II. Originally a section of Kelly Field, it was designated as an independent installation and became the primary site for Air Force basic military training. Throughout the Cold War and into the present day, Lackland AFB has remained the "Gateway to the Air Force," training millions of enlisted personnel. The base is also home to a variety of specialized schools, including the Defense Language Institute and the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, playing a critical role in shaping the Air Force's global capabilities.

The **85th Air Transport Squadron** was an active unit of the United States Air Force, first constituted during World War II. Activated in 1943, the squadron was initially tasked with ferrying cargo, personnel, and equipment in the China-Burma-India Theater, playing a vital role in logistical airlift operations over the treacherous "Hump" route. After the war, the unit was inactivated, but it was later redesignated and reactivated during the early Cold War era as a part of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), supporting global airlift missions. The squadron was eventually inactivated as part of broader postwar reorganization and modernization of Air Force airlift capabilities.

The 84th Air Transport Squadron was a unit of the United States Air Force that played a significant role during the mid-20th century. Initially activated during World War II, the squadron was assigned to the Air Transport Command and later became part of the Military Air Transport Service (MATS). The squadron was responsible for providing long-range airlift capabilities, transporting troops, equipment, and supplies to various theaters of operation around the globe. The 84th Air Transport Squadron was eventually inactivated as the Air Force reorganized its airlift and transport units in the postwar era.

The United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) traces its origins to World War II, when it was first activated as the Eighth Air Force in 1942 to direct bombing operations over Nazi-occupied Europe. Following the war, USAFE was established in 1945 to oversee American air operations across Europe, playing a pivotal role during the Berlin Airlift and throughout the Cold War as a deterrent against Soviet aggression. Over the decades, USAFE adapted to changing global threats, participating in NATO exercises, supporting operations in the Balkans, the Middle East, and Africa. Today, USAFE remains a vital component of U.S. and allied security in Europe, providing combat-ready airpower, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring rapid response capabilities across the region.