Airmen celebrate Air Force's birthday in AOR

Photo By Johnny Saldivar | Airman 1st Class Liana Taylor (right), 447th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron services technician, helps Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, Air Force Central Command commander, cut the Air Force birthday cake at Al Faw palace Sept. 18. As is tradition, the highest and lowest ranking Airmen in attendance have the privilege of cutting the cake. More than 200 service members attended the ceremony celebrating the Air Force's 62nd birthday where Maj. Gen. Joseph Reynes Jr., Air Component Coordination Element director, served as the keynote speaker for the evening. Taylor is deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and hails from Harwich, Mass.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.20.2009

Story by Senior Airman Alyssa Miles 

U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- More than 200 service members attended a ceremony celebrating the Air Force's 62nd birthday at Al Faw palace Sept. 18.

Lt. Gen. Mike Hostage, Air Force Central Command commander, was in attendance as well as Maj. Gen. Joseph Reynes Jr., Air Component Coordination Element director, who served as the keynote speaker for the evening.

Upon arrival at the palace, attendees mingled during a social time before proceeding to the ball room for the official ceremony.

For Fairfield, Calif., native Senior Airman Jessica Trackwell, Task Force 134 Detainee Operations executive assistant, the birthday celebration was on opportunity for those in uniform to interact outside of the work environment.

"These events help boost morale of the Airmen out here," said Trackwell, who is deployed from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. "We get to come together and get to know one another and remember what the Air Force is all about."

Although the atmosphere was light, Reynes pointed out the seriousness of the event and said there is probably no better place to celebrate the Air Force birthday than at Al Faw Palace with the "great joint team" in attendance.

"Celebrating the United States Air Force's birthday provides Airmen an opportunity to reflect on the exceptional men and women who have built our heritage and to look forward to the challenges that lie ahead," Reynes said. "Today some Airmen will learn about the history of the Air Force and others will experience a renewed sense of pride. We should all take a moment to remember and honor our history and those who answered our nation's call. We are their legacy."

With another year of service to the United States under its wings, the Air Force will continue its mission to fly, fight and win.

• Date Taken: 09.20.2009
• Date Posted: 09.20.2009 03:18
• Story ID: 39031
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ