Air Force Ball: Food, fellowship, celebration

  • Published
  • By Col. Roger Watkins
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing vice commander
Fairchild's Air Force Ball is scheduled for Sept. 8 and I want to encourage everyone to come out and participate in this great event.

The Ball isn't just for wing leadership and senior enlisted folks - it is for everyone. This is a chance to come together and celebrate our proud heritage, commemorating the 60th anniversary of our Air Force and our base.

This will be the culmination of a series of 60th anniversary events the wing has held throughout the year, and I am very excited for the occasion. Our Air Force Ball committee has been working hard to plan a great evening. I appreciate their efforts.

The keynote speaker will be retired Gen. Charles "Tony" Robertson Jr., an Air Force icon. General Robertson retired in 2001 as commander of both Air Mobility Command and U.S. Transportation Command, concluding a 33-year Air Force career that began as a gunship pilot in Vietnam. I look forward to hearing the general's unique perspective on our Air Force heritage.

Additionally, the Air Force Band of the Golden West, from Travis AFB, and the Washington Air National Guard's Band of the Northwest will perform at the Ball - both groups always provide first-class entertainment.

We have a proud history here at Fairchild and what better time to pause to reflect on how far we have come than on our 60th anniversary. To help us do that, our wing historian, Dan Simmons, and our Communications Squadron's multimedia office have created a video to highlight the wing's distinguished history, people and aircraft. We also will have several current and heritage aircraft on static display including the KC-135, B-52, C-53, AT-6, and a Stearman.

Further, the Ball is a great time to fellowship with one another outside the normal work environment. It is also an excellent opportunity to meet each other's families. We are one big family in the Air Force and are charged with looking after each other's loved ones when folks deploy, so it is important we get to know one another in a social environment. Child care is also available on base for the evening.

I'm proud to be part of this tremendous all-volunteer organization that is the U.S. Air Force. Today's Airmen make up the next great generation and frankly are the finest group of patriots I have ever met.

I encourage all Team Fairchild Airmen, civic leaders, and their families to attend our Ball. It is sure to be a great event - and I look forward to seeing you there Saturday!