Osan and Kunsan celebrate the 67th anniversary of the US Air Force

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Lancaster
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Osan and Kunsan Air Base members celebrated the 67th birthday of the United States Air Force with a ball Sept. 13, 2014 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The ball is an Air Force tradition to honor and reflect upon the history of the Air Force and the Airmen who came before.

For this year's ball, Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, 7th Air Force commander, chose the theme of Airmen and Airpower...The American Advantage!

"I believe he chose this theme because Airman and airpower are close to his heart and they have been for the past 30 plus years," said Capt. Nicole Redmond, 607th Air Support Operations Group air liaison officer and Air Force Ball committee chairman. "We can't have an Air Force without our Airmen. Their hard work, service before self and excellence in all they do is how we get the airpower team that we have and how we've been dominant since the Korean War."

The ball opened with the Presentation of the Colors by the Osan Honor Guard and the singing of the national anthems of the Republic of Korea and United States of America by the Hill 180 Singers.

After the opening comments and the toasts, the Osan Honor Guard performed a Prisoner of War and Missing in Action tribute ceremony. This ceremony is a tribute to all POWs or MIA and also as a remembrance to keep them in our thoughts.

"As we celebrate 67 years in the extraordinary Air Force and it's even more extraordinary Airmen, let us keep in our thoughts our brothers and sisters through all services who are in harm's way as we look forward to their safe return," said Jouas.

Following the tribute, Chief Master Sgt. Shelina Frey, 7th Air Force command chief, had the honor of being the keynote speaker for the ball.

"I'd like to ground us for a minute and talk about what tonight is all about, what our Air Force is truly about. It's about Airmen and airpower, the American advantage," said Fray. "As Airmen we are here to serve, defend and support. We are American Airmen and the strongest, most diligent Air Force in the world."

Lastly before everyone had the chance to enjoy their dinner, retired Master Sgt. James "Gunner" Jackson and Airman Larissa Atkinson, 8th Operations Support Squadron aviation resource manager, as the most senior and junior Airmen, joined Lt. Gen Jouas and Chief Fray participate in the cake cutting ceremony at the ball to celebrate the Air Force's birthday.

Fray closed by expressing how she feels military service is really about.

"Military service is not about a career but rather it's an act of the heart, love for our country and placing the needs of one's nation above our own so current and future generations can hope to live in a world where basic human values, freedoms and dignities can be realized by all," said Frey "It's the Soldier, Sailor, Marine and Airman's sacrifice and commitment to enduring principles that apply to all freedom loving people all over the world. Together we are the true advantage."