Warfighters take time for Air Force's 62nd birthday

Published Sept. 18, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. John Jung
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Hundreds of Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines celebrated the 62nd Air Force birthday with tradition, solidarity and a show of force here Sept. 18, 2009.

A reveille ceremony was held at 6 a.m.at the base flag poles in Camp Cunningham, named after Air Force pararescueman Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham, who gave his life in Afghanistan in March 2002, while saving 10 wounded Army Soldiers.

After reveille, more than 400 servicemembers then started a five kilometer run in unison to show the solidarity and strength of the Coalition Forces here at Bagram.

After the run, a formal cake cutting ceremony was held and then Coalition servicemembers from all over Bagram were invited to the flightline to see the airpower assembled here. They had the opportunity to climb abroad a C-130 Hercules, an F-15E Strike Eagle, an F-16 Fighting Falcon and an Army UH-60 Blackhawk and have their photo taken with the aircraft.

Brig. Gen. Steven Kwast, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, briefly summed up his thoughts about being the host of the 62nd Air Force Birthday celebration here while at war in Afghanistan.

"While we're celebrating the Air Force's 62nd birthday it is important to remember that we're involved in a joint fight serving the Army and other Coalition ground forces bringing this counterinsurgency to an end in Afghanistan," he said. "What a fine way to celebrate our heritage - we came from the Army -- we have the same foundations. We celebrate that heritage by fighting together with our sister services and Coalition partners. We're bringing freedom and liberty to this part of the world by taking care of the insurgents' sanctuary to where they cannot run and they cannot hide."

Both Coalition members and our sister services were thankful for the Air Force's support and efforts for their troops on the ground and in contact with the enemy.

"We have a great working relationship with your pilots and the close air support we receive from you has no limitations," said Polish Army Lt. Col. Slawomir Warnbier.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 James Wright, 101st Airborne, Fort Campbell, Ky., echoed Col. Warnbier's sentiments about the Air Force's role in Afghanistan.

"The Air Force airdrops are providing needed support to Soldiers in the field; getting people and parts to our guys in the [Forward Operating Bases] and in the mountains. The Air Force is doing a great job and it's great to have them out here," said Warrant Officer Wright.