Proud Heritage

Brig. Gen. John Rank, Deputy Director of J9 and Strategic Effects, addresses attendees during a ceremony for the Air Force's 63rd birthday celebration. More than 200 Army and Air Force servcicemembers were present for the ceremony along with a delegation from the Iraqi Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Mike Edwards)

Global Reach

Attendees watch a short video and slide presentation highlighting various aspects of Air Force history during a ceremony for the Air Force's 63rd birthday celebration. More than 200 Army and Air Force servcicemembers attended the ceremony along with a delegation from the Iraqi Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Mike Edwards)

The Colors

Members of the Sather Air Base Honor Guard depart after presenting the colors during the opening ceremony for the Air Force's 63rd birthday celebration. More than 200 Army and Air Force servcicemembers attended the ceremony along with a delegation from the Iraqi Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Mike Edwards)

Airmen at VBC celebrate AF's 63rd birthday

Published Sept. 21, 2010
By Senior Airman Perry Aston
Air Component Coordination Element - Iraq Public Affairs

SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq -- More than 200 servicemembers attended the Air Force's 63rd birthday celebration at the base's Moral Welfare and Recreation tent, Sept. 18, 2010.

Brig. Gen. Scott Hanson, director of the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission - Air Force, and commander of the 321st Air Expeditionary Wing, was in attendance as well as Brig. Gen. John Ranck, deputy director of J9 and strategic effects, who served as the keynote speaker for the event.

Upon arrival, attendees participated in the official ceremony, and then proceeded to another tent to cut the birthday cake and begin the official festivities.

For Staff Sgt. John Chambers, Air Component Coordination Element - Iraq, NCO in-charge of client systems, deployed from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., there is no better place to celebrate the birthday of the Air Force than in a deployed location.

"I wouldn't want to celebrate the Air Force birthday anywhere else while our country is at war," said the Surprise, Ariz., native. "It's a pleasure and an honor to be celebrating our 63rd birthday in Baghdad with my fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Iraqi counterparts. This was a great way to honor our past and current Airmen."

General Ranck, spoke about how the Air Force has contributed to the fight since their separation from the army and also about the ingenuity of its Airmen.

"Since 1947, we have supported our nation in wars, conflicts, named operations and humanitarian relief missions, large and small, first through air, and as we evolved, through space and cyberspace operations." he said. "Every 90 seconds an Air Force aircraft departs -- 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Every day, Airmen offload 600,000 gallons of fuel to U.S. joint and coalition aircraft all over the world. Airmen have carried 1.8 million passengers and 600,000 tons of cargo to Afghanistan and Iraq since 9/11."

He credited the ability to accomplish these feats to the resourcefulness of today's Airmen.

"And just like the ingenuity in the Berlin Airlift, today's global reach capability can build combat power most places in the world within hours or days, to include airfield opening, ops, logistics and delivering combat punch from Air Force assets," the General added.

The event concluded with a $350 presentation to the Good Neighbor Program in honor of Generals Ranck and Hanson.

With another year of service to the United States under its wings, the Airmen of today and tomorrow will build on the accomplishments of yesterday's Airmen to continue the Air Force's mission to fly, fight and win.