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Bagram Airmen celebrate Air Force's 60th birthday

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Craig Seals
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Airmen at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan celebrated the Air Force's 60th birthday at a dinner and celebration held here September 8.

Festivities included a POW/MIA/Fallen Comrade Ceremony, several slide shows and videos focusing on the advancement of airpower since its inception, and a guest speaker, Maj. Gen. Kevin Kennedy, director of the Air Component Coordination Element, from Kabul, Afghanistan.

The anniversary dinner was put together by the 60th Anniversary Ball Committee, whose members came from several other Camp Cunningham organizations. Bagram's Top 3, Bagram's Chief's Group, Bagram's First Sergeant Council, Route 56 (middle tier organization) and the Airmen Committed to Excellence (ACE) were all part of the committee.

The committee was led by Master Sgt. Kevin Drake, 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Group first sergeant. "It was challenging to put an event like this together in a combat zone," he said. "But the volunteers worked incredibly hard to make this happen."

And make it happen, they did. The evening's celebration took place in a large clamshell tent; complete with patriotic streamers, Air Force decorations and live music provided by the Combined Joint Task Force-82 band.

The effort and overall look and feel of the decoration was to highlight the proud heritage of the Air Force throughout its 60 year history.

"Our Airman's Creed states that 'I am faithful to a proud heritage.' That's exactly why it's important to put an event like this together; to showcase that proud heritage to the men and women of the Air Force who, on a daily basis, are adding to that proud heritage," said Sergeant Drake.

Part of that heritage was in edible form, with a large cake showcasing the Air Force's 60th anniversary logo. Before the evening was underway, Airmen lined up for photos with the enormous cake.

Capt. Marc Strohofer, 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, and Master Sgt. Kevin Drennen, 755th Air Expeditionary Group first sergeant, were the emcees for the evening.

After welcoming everyone, the emcees walked the audience through several presentations highlighting the rich history of the Air Force.

Once dinner had been served, Brig. Gen. Bill Hyatt, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, introduced the guest speaker.

Gen. Kennedy thanked everyone involved in putting the event together and spoke to every Airman in the room when he told them "You are all part of this proud heritage. You will remember your time at Bagram for the rest of your lives."

"I'm so thrilled to be part of this international effort to bring peace and prosperity to the nation of Afghanistan," Gen. Kennedy said. "America's ground forces are the best in the world, but what gives them the advantage is the asymmetric air and space dominance that only the United States Air Force can provide."

The general wrapped up his speech by reminding everyone of the importance of their mission in Operation Enduring Freedom.

"It takes professionals, like you, to get the job done," he said. "You guys are making the mission happen."

Upon completion of his speech, Gen. Hyatt took the stage to thank Gen. Kennedy for his words and for attending the ceremony. Gen. Hyatt then presented Gen. Kennedy a Bagram Airfield coin for his participation.

With the end of the evening's celebration at hand, Airmen slowly filed out back to Camp Cunningham filled with a renewed sense of pride and heritage on the anniversary of the birth of their service.