OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Tinker Air Force Base celebrated the United States Air Force's 77th birthday on Wednesday. Officials say 77 years ago in 1947, the U.S. Air Force became its own branch of the military, originally being a part of the Army. GOOD NEWS!: City of Edmond receives funding for mental health initiatives KFOR's Natalie Clydesdale got a tour of Tinker AFB and spoke with those celebrating about the Air Force's special day. "We're feeling great, full of pride here celebrating with a flag fold behind the B-52 Stratofortress flying since 1962," said Master Sergeant Luke Steagull with Tinker Honor Guard. "We're just really excited today." MSgt. Steagull said Honor Guard's mission is to provide military funeral honors. They travel across Oklahoma to pay respect to those have passed away with honor and dignity. Tinker has other celebrations planned for the big day, like the two-person flag fold with two riflemen on standby and a cake cutting ceremony at the event center Wednesday morning. Tinker AFB celebrates U.S. Air Force's 77th birthday. Image KFOR. Tinker AFB celebrates U.S. Air Force's 77th birthday. Image KFOR. GOOD NEWS!: Oklahoma County deputy saves teen after artery severed in arm Staff Sergeant Keenan Ruh, 552nd Air Control Wing Maintainer, told News 4 about some the operations at Tinker AFB as he started his morning. "It means a lot to me, to be a part of something bigger than myself and carry on the traditions and honors of those who came before me and carry on that torch." said SSgt. Ruh. He says his role at Tinker AFB is to be a dedicated crew chief for one of the base's airborne warning and control system (AWAC) aircrafts. He works to maintain the aircraft and keep it in tip-top shape so it can work properly. "[The system] Gets an image of the battlespace and lets our ally aircraft know and other Air Force aircraft know where our foes are at,” said SSgt. Ruh.  GOOD NEWS!: Rise and Shiners take their community to a whole new level News 4 also got a tour of the air traffic control tower where Colonel Tamilyn Dismukes, 72nd Air Base Wing Deputy Commander, told us more about the history of the U.S. Air Force. "77 years ago, President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 which made the Air Force it's own branch of the military," said Col. Dismukes. "We are the world's greatest Air Force because of those who came before us." Col. Dismukes explained how the best bases are built by the best communities and that Tinker embodies that. Technical Sergeant Matthew Fraser, Air Traffic Control Watch Supervisor, added that Tinker's air traffic control towers are some of the most complex towers in the country. Tinker AFB air traffic control tower. Image KFOR. "We are the ninth most complex out of 98 towers in the country," added TSgt. Fraser. "We have intersecting runways which just adds to the complexity of everything,". He went on to say that the officer training program here in Oklahoma is the largest in the country. The program helps prepare future officers to take over the air fields of bases across the U.S. "It's a fantastic base. We have the newest tower in the Air Force, so we can't ask for better community, support and overall team that's stationed here at Tinker." TSgt Fraser noted. GOOD NEWS!: Walmart rolls out ‘Caroline’s Carts’ in Oklahoma The tour led KFOR to General Brian Moore and Colonel Jennifer Philips,76 AMXG Commander, on the flight lines, who expressed their excitement for the special day. "Yeah! Good morning Oklahoma," said Gen. Moore. "We're feeling great out here in the flight lines, the best place to be, and it's the Air Force's 77th birthday so it couldn't be better than that, right?" "It's a day to celebrate all the sacrifice and bravery of all the airmen that have devoted their lives to protecting our skies." added Col. Philips. Gen. Moore said that Tinker is a national treasure and continues to grow with help from the community. The base plans to see upgrades to some of the aircrafts they already have, as well as add new ones in the future. Col. Philips is the Aircraft Maintenance Group Commander at Tinker AFB and she takes pride in the work her team does to maintain the aircrafts on base. She says the future of Tinker relies on the dedication and preparation of its workforce. Everyone at Tinker could feel the pride and excitement of the Air Force's birthday on Wednesday. The celebration additionally included a cake cutting ceremony and a performance from the Mid-Del High School band.  To learn more about the history of Tinker AFB, visit Tinker.af.mil.