1. The Air Force Song Aka Off We Go Into The Wild Blue Yonder

2. Service Songs People use music to identify many things including the military services Each service has a song that reminds people of the spirit and dedication of that organization –Army = The Caissons Go Rolling Along –Navy = Anchors Aweigh –Marines = The Marine Corps Hymn

3. The Air Force Song 1937 General Hap Arnold decided the new Army Air Corps need its own song The Army Air Corps sponsored a contest –Professional musicians would judge –A magazine offered a prize of $1000

4. Many Applicants Over 760 entries were offered Some were amateurs and some were professionals

5. Winning Entry The contest was about to expire Captain Robert Crawford entered his song –Some liked it right away –Some were indifferent, Col. Charles Lindburgh for example Ultimately Gen. Arnold decided in favor of Captain Crawford

6. Problems arise The Army Air Corps did not have enough money to publish the song Captain Crawford sold the song to a private firm –The Air Force is the only service that does not own the rights to its own song.

7. Changes 1947 the Army and Air Force become separate services –Song goes with the Air Force –Lyrics required slight change Original ending = Nothing can stop the Army Air Corps Current ending = Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force.

8. Protocol When played at a military ceremony, service members will stand at attention When played inside, service members will rise and join in singing loudly.

9. Lyrics 1 Off we go into the wild blue yonder Climbing high into the sun Taking off for the sky –Yonder = Out there A favorite tatic of fighter pilots

10. Lyrics 2 Here they come zooming to meet our thunder At ’em boys, give ‘er the gun Describing the enemy fighters preparing to attack Directs the wing man to fly with full throttle

11. Lyrics 3 Down we dive, Spouting our flames from under Off with one hell of roar Favorite tactic of US fighter pilots Rapid fire cannons strapped to the bottom Pulling out of the dive

12. Lyrics 4 We live in fame or go down flames Hey nothing can stop the US Air Force Victory or death Exclamation