Historians help Air Force remember where it came from, shape where it is going

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacey Haga
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The saying goes, "If you want to know where you are going, then look where you came from." 

Perhaps that is why Air Force bases across the globe keep an archive of their past.
In order to keep an extensive, detailed archive of its history, the Air Force has individuals dedicated to preserving the service's heritage. 

Air Force historians are at wing, numbered Air Force, major command and headquarters Air Force levels. There are also historians assigned at direct reporting units and field operating agencies. 

Tyndall has historians assigned to Air Forces North, the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency and the 325th Fighter Wing. 

The 325th Fighter Wing's historian, Tech. Sgt. Brian Hoppe, has been in the career field for seven years. 

"I like the research and learning about the Air Force's rich heritage," said Sergeant Hoppe. "I also enjoy talking to veterans and hearing their stories. These people served selflessly and many of them saw and experienced things most of us cannot imagine." 

While the primary function of a wing historian is to record the wing's mission in an unbiased manner, the historian also performs many other tasks. 

"We research different things for anyone who asks," said Sergeant Hoppe. "We are also the focal point for all heraldic issues, which includes unit emblems and patches." 

In addition to those duties, historians are responsible for all historical displays in their units. 

"Any displays of historical significance must process through the history office," said Sergeant Hoppe. "There is a process we must follow to protect not only items of historical significance, but the Air Force as well. All historical property actually belongs to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and is accountable." 

The archives the historians are responsible for can include photos, newspapers, documents, records, video and many other items. 

"We acquired a lot of our documents and pictures from our research efforts in writing the wing histories," said Sergeant Hoppe about the wing's archive. "We also get things as people clean out offices and desks. I've had a number of calls from people who cleaned out a commander's desk or a secretary's desk and found pictures or even documents they thought might be important. I've also had veterans stop by with pictures and documents from their time in service." 

All this information can be used by commanders to see what strategies were successful in the past and help make decisions regarding the future of their unit. 

Recently, the historian position for the active duty Air Force was transitioned from an Airmen's Air Force specialty code to a civilian position. Sergeant Hoppe will soon be returning to his prior AFSC, missile and space systems electronics maintenance. 

Meanwhile, Scott Welch, who has 11 years analytical and historian experience in the Department of Defense, has become the new wing historian here. Mr. Welch will continue the process of documenting the 325th Fighter Wing's legacy. 

"Units need to know their history in order to see where they are going," he said.
"I love the job. It's like putting together pieces of a puzzle." 

"The Air Force has a long and distinguished history with each unit and base playing a very important role in that story," said Sergeant Hoppe. 

Once all the pieces of that history are found, the story is complete.