Cyclists race down Monroe Avenue during the fifth annual Fort Eustis Circuit Race at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, April 12, 2026. The race was part of the Tour of Newport News, a three-day, five-race event hosted by the Newport News Parks & Recreation Department and recognized as the largest bicycle race in the Mid-Atlantic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Donnell Ramsey)
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. – The U.S. Air Force has a rich history that has laid the groundwork for what it is today. This history shapes operations and creates a unique culture and heritage for Airmen.
Ryan Collins, 633d Air Base Wing historian, works to ensure the next generation of Airmen are surrounded by a culture that inspires them to strive for excellence.
Collins was born into a family with decades of military service and decided to follow suit and enlist in the Air Force in the summer of 2000.
“It’s just a part of the fabric of certain families,” Collins said. “Less than 1% of people in America serve in the military, so some families just have it ingrained in them to do something beneficial for the...
