The U.S. Air Force says it’s time to go gender-neutral with its official song — “Wild Blue Yonder.”
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein confirmed the change on Friday while noting that it was time to give “proper respect and recognition” to all personnel.
Lyrics that will change include the following:
- “At ’em, boys, Give ’er the gun!” now reads “At ’em now, Give ’em the gun!”
- “Minds of men” now reads “brilliant minds.”
- “Hands of men” now reads “valiant hands.”
- “Souls of men” now reads “boundless souls.”
- “of his brother men who fly” now reads “To a friend we send a message of the brave who serve on high.”
- “Flying men” now reads “Fly to fight, guarding the nation’s border.”
“These new lyrics speak more accurately to all we do, all that we are and all that we strive to be as a profession of arms,” the general added, Military.com reported.
The song has remained the same since 1947 when the Air Force became its own service separate from the Army Air Corps, the defense website added.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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