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Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers is left with just the handle of his bat as he heads for first base with an infield singkle against the Washington Nationals, Sept. 17, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers is left with just the handle of his bat as he heads for first base with an infield singkle against the Washington Nationals, Sept. 17, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers is left with just the handle of his bat as he heads for first base with an infield singkle against the Washington Nationals, Sept. 17, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

Yasiel Puig of the Los Angeles Dodgers is left with just the handle of his bat as he heads for first base with an infield singkle against the Washington Nationals, Sept. 17, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals pitches his way to his 14th win of the season, Sept. 17, 2017 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals pitches his way to his 14th win of the season, Sept. 17, 2017 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Justin Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers slides safely into second with a stolen base as the ball gets away from Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner at Nationals Park, Sept. 17, 2017.

Justin Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers slides safely into second with a stolen base as the ball gets away from Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner at Nationals Park, Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jordan Lindeke poses with Washington Nationals mascot Screech after throwing the ceremonial first pitch on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jordan Lindeke poses with Washington Nationals mascot Screech after throwing the ceremonial first pitch on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jordan Lindeke, who received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan in 2010, throws the ceremonial first pitch on U.S. Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jordan Lindeke, who received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan in 2010, throws the ceremonial first pitch on U.S. Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, left, and other Air Force personnel salute during the singing of the national anthem U.S. Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

Brig. Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, left, and other Air Force personnel salute during the singing of the national anthem U.S. Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker stands for the singing of the national anthem U.S. Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

Washington Nationals manager Dusty Baker stands for the singing of the national anthem U.S. Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Gen. Stephen Wilson, left, vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, salutes during the playing of the national anthem on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

Gen. Stephen Wilson, left, vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, salutes during the playing of the national anthem on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

The U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants perform the national anthem on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

The U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants perform the national anthem on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Airmen salute during the singing of the national anthem on U.S. Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

Airmen salute during the singing of the national anthem on U.S. Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

The U.S. Air Force Color Guard, on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

The U.S. Air Force Color Guard, on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jordan Lindeke prepares to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jordan Lindeke prepares to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

The U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants prepare to perform the national anthem on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

The U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants prepare to perform the national anthem on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Gen. Stephen Wilson, vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, congratulates the 46 recruits who just took the Oath of Enlistment on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

Gen. Stephen Wilson, vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, congratulates the 46 recruits who just took the Oath of Enlistment on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Gen. Stephen Wilson, vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, administers the Oath of Enlistment to 46 recruits on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

Gen. Stephen Wilson, vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, administers the Oath of Enlistment to 46 recruits on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Gen. Stephen Wilson, vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, administers the Oath of Enlistment to 46 recruits on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

Gen. Stephen Wilson, vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, administers the Oath of Enlistment to 46 recruits on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Members of the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants wait to sing the national anthem on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

Members of the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants wait to sing the national anthem on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performs on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017.

The U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performs on Air Force Night at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2017. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force's 70th birthday celebration got under way in the nation's capital Sunday night with the addition of nearly four dozen new airmen.

On Air Force Night at Nationals Park, Gen. Stephen Wilson, vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, administered the Oath of Enlistment to 46 recruits before the Washington Nationals played the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It was the last of five branch days hosted by the Nationals during the 2017 season. For those keeping score, the home team won three of those games (Navy, Coast Guard and Air Force) and lost two (Army and Marine Corps).

Sunday's ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by Air Force Maj. Jordan Lindeke, who received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in a suicide bombing in Afghanistan in 2010. The national anthem was performed by the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants.

The U.S. Air Force officially became an independent service on Sept. 18, 1947, one of several results of President Harry S Truman's signing of the National Security Act.

news@stripes.com

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