Misawa celebrates six decades of air power with Air Force Ball

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Vann Miller
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The men and women of the 35th Fighter Wing welcomed in another year's anniversary with the celebration at its Air Force Ball here today. 

As the Air Force cheered on its 60th birthday, many attendees enjoyed the guest speaker from the 5th Air Force commander and U.S. Forces Japan commander, Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright. 

General Wright traveled to Misawa to celebrate with distinguished Airmen, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and many of Misawa's community leaders including Misawa's Mayor Kazumasa Taneichi. 

The theme of the 60th anniversary dinner was 'Heritage to Horizons' and during the dinner a visual display of historical Air Force images portrayed the impressive adventure of air power. 

"We stand right here in the midst of the legends of heroes, and certainly we stand here in the midst of the history of our Air Force and air power," said General Wright. "Airmen committed and understanding the value and the relevance and the power of air power have been here on this soil for more than 60 years." 

The 60 years of air power have shown the Airmen today that pioneers like Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell had his faith invested in an endeavor worthy of pursuit. 

In the immortal words of General Mitchell, he envisioned the direction of the Air Force by saying, "In the development of air power, one has to look ahead and not backward and figure out what is going to happen, not too much what has happened." 

Over the years, operations such as the Berlin Airlift and the air campaign in Desert Storm have shown how valuable the Air Force is in the service and defense of the United States and its interests. 

Before dinner, a show played for the attendees while Mr. Shigenori Wada played the Shamisen, a conventional three-string guitar. The presentation showed personal collages of two of Misawa's Airmen, Capt. Lena Freienmuth from the 35th Maintenance Group and Senior Master Sgt. Mark Branco from the 35th Comptroller Squadron, in addition a video of a short synopsis of the Air Force's history was presented to guests. 

"We dedicate this 60th Air Force Anniversary Ball to all the men and women, past and present, who have answered our nations call and remained faithful to a proud heritage," said Captain Freienmuth, master of ceremony. 

Today's Airmen represented the wingmen, leaders, and warriors, according to the captain.
 
During the dinner, the attendees enjoyed a taste of Japanese culture with traditional Taiko Drummers. Also entertaining the crowd during the ball was "Final Approach Combo" of the Air Force Band of the Pacific Asia. 

The 60th birthday cake was brought into the room and its cutting followed the old Air Force tradition of having the most senior and most junior members make the cut. 

General Wright, having served for 34 years, was joined by Airman 1st Class Charlesa Spann, a vehicle maintenance apprentice from the 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron, who has served for 10 months. 

The celebration served as a reaffirmation of the commitment the Air Force makes to its nation and allies in the Pacific region, according to the general. 

"We aught to honor the warriors that fought each other and yet found a way, because of two great nations and two great peoples, to be the best and strongest international allies I think the world knows," General Wright said. "And that's really the history of air power and the history of the 5th Air Force and the history of Misawa." 

Appreciating the history of air power allows Airmen to understand the future of air power, according to the general. 

"The future is that we are going to stay ready and we are going to stay capable," the general said. "Taking the fight to the enemy and countering the threat of terrorism around the world."