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NEWS | Sept. 18, 2020

Celebrating 73 years of excellence

By Senior Airman Marcus M. Bullock 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The United States Air Force was founded Sep 18, 1947, ushering in a new era for the United States.  This year marks the 73rd birthday of the Air Force’s dedication and service to this country.  Looking at the strides the Air Force has made since its inception, it is incredible to look at the rich history of our relatively young branch.

Members of the 633rd Force Support Squadron Food Operations Team at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, brought service members and civilians together during a cake cutting ceremony celebrating the Air Force’s birthday Sep. 18, 2020.  Though COVID-19 has created adjustments to base operations and events, base leadership wanted to be sure Airmen remember that honoring our past is important.

“Since 1947, the United States Air Force has provided air dominance in protection of our nation’s freedom,” said U.S. Air Force Colonel Clint Ross, JBLE Installation commander. “Our JBLE family delivers on that promise every day in support of combatant commanders worldwide.  We wish the Air Force a happy 73rd birthday and many more to come.”

A tradition at JBLE is to have a member with the longest time in service and a member with the shortest time in service from JBLE come together to cut the cake. This year U.S. Air Force Col. Frederick “Chris” Weaver, Headquarters Air Combat Command Surgeon General deputy command surgeon, and Airman Basic Deondre Washington, 633 FSS food service specialist apprentice, were chosen as they had the longest and shortest times in service respectively.

According to U.S. Air Force Col. Allen Herritage, 633rd Mission Support Group commander, putting on this event in celebration of the Air Force’s birthday is important because it helps to highlight all members who contribute to the mission and continue to add to the Air Force’s proud legacy.

“Events like this are important for our morale and communication,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Ivor A. Tiwari, 633rd Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight commander. “It creates a sense of community that we as leaders are responsible to invoke and this specifically is a huge event. Having something that is ours and that ties us all together and has significant importance.”

Tiwari went on to remark that we all may have different jobs in the Air Force, but celebrating the Air Force’s birthday unites us all under one common legacy.