Celebrating 62 years of airpower Published Sept. 23, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Angelique Smythe 451st AEW Public Affairs KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- On the night of Sept. 18, Airmen from the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing here gathered at Camp Samek to celebrate the U.S. Air Force's 62nd birthday. A tradition of honor and a legacy of valor, commemorating 62 years of air and space power was the evening's theme. Airmen filled the chairs and benches of tables covered by patriotic vinyl tablecloths, colored place mats documenting some of the Air Force's and the 451st AEW's rich history, and cakes decorated with the Air Force seal. "We celebrate our positions, our heritage, our beliefs, our values, and our commitment to one another," said Chaplain (Maj.) Alan Chouest, 451st AEW chaplain, during the invocation. Each member stood and bottles of water were raised for a silent toast honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice after a comrade ceremony. Eighteen Airmen throughout the crowd each proudly recited the 18 lines of the Airman's Creed, and every Airman on Camp Samek echoed each line in unison. This celebration "is for us to take a few minutes to look at where we've come from, where the Air Force has been, and the people who made it possible for us to be here," said Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh, 451st AEW commander. Dr. Charles Merkel, the 451st AEW's new historian and the night's guest speaker, spoke of the importance of the Air Force's history and the activation of the 451st Bombardment Group (now 451st AEW) in 1943. He explained the group was activated at Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Ariz., before moving overseas. He also shared the stories of a few servicemembers of past wars, as well as his own story in which he assisted in extracting Soldiers from the ground during the Vietnam War. Doctor Merkel flew in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He began his military career flying helicopters with UH-1s. He spent more than 20 years on active duty with the U.S. Army and was a military test pilot who did many operational tests with the same systems that are still on airplanes today. He's been awarded the Bronze Star, has earned the Purple Heart and more than 15 air medals. "Although you don't think it now, possibly 20 years from now, you'll have historians knocking at your door trying to get reminisces of how it was like to be in Afghanistan in 2009," said Doctor Merkel. "It's an important story and one that needs to be told. You are all very important; you are all making history. You are all primary sources who can tell exactly what it was like to be here in this period of time." He closed with, "I'm proud of you; I'm proud to be a member of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing; it's a privilege to be here with you; and I wish you a rich, continued success." The audience rendered a standing ovation. Next to take the stage were the most senior and most junior Airmen to participate in the cake cutting ceremony. Airman Julian Tapia, 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron, has currently served 13 months of active duty in the Air Force. And although General Walsh has served 30 years of dedicated service, he also invited Lt. Col. Dale Andrews, 451st Expeditionary Maintenance Group deputy commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Michael Breedlove, 451st EMXG chief of quality assurance, to join them. "These guys both spent some time with the Army before joining the Air Force," said General Walsh. "I want to bring them here to join me so I don't feel like the most senior person up here." The celebration ended with a video presentation of members from the 451st AEW wishing, "Happy Birthday, Air Force!"