Air Force Ball Approaches Published Aug. 23, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Jessica Lockoski 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE, Kan. -- Throughout life, people reach a number of pivotal ages. In America, turning 21 means being able to legally purchase and consume alcohol, and turning 30 seems to signify officially becoming an adult. Some people think turning 40 means climbing "over the hill," while turning 60 seems to represent reaching a golden milestone, which reflects the amount of accomplishment, wisdom and experience a person has acquired with age. Like people, organizations also reach milestone ages. The Air Force will celebrate its 60th anniversary Sept. 18. It will celebrate sixty years of innovation in new concepts and technology and the legacy of its contributions as a military force. To honor the occasion, Team McConnell is hosting an Air Force Ball, Sept. 15, from 6-11 p.m. at the Century II Convention Center in Wichita. The ball's theme will be - "Heritage to Horizons." As part of the evening's events, Masters of Ceremonies will present a synopsis of the Air Force's first 60 years of history and a chronicle of the force's pursuit of excellence as it has left its global impacts in international history. They will also present a look into the 22nd Air Refueling Wing's past ventures and missions. "The 'Heritage to Horizons' theme speaks to the Air Force as a forward looking service reaching for technological innovations, but centered in its roots and history," said Steve Larsen, 22nd ARW historian. The dress code for the event will be mess dress semi-formal uniform dress or and formal dress for non-military members. The evening will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by the relish of a three-course meal at 8:15 p.m. Not even an Air Force birthday celebration would be complete without cake, which will follow dinner. Participants will also enjoy a speech from special guest speaker, Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III, dancing, songs from the Voices of McConnell and model displays of the Air Force's hallmark aircraft from the Kansas Aviation museum. Some attendees will be giving toasts as they represent the Air Force's most valuable assets, it's people, who make it possible to continue to bring blood, sweat and tears to the 60 years of air power heritage. "Heritage is by definition, legacy," said Mr. Larsen. "Airmen should embrace it, own it, and contribute positively to it. The Air Force Ball is a celebration of that very thing. Air Force heritage belongs to all Airmen, from the newest Airman arriving for their first day of training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to the oldest living retired Airman," he said. Sixty years is a milestone, which has allowed the Air Force to lead the way for decades, and it may be looked upon as a reflection of the experience that may bring more candles to blow out for decades to come. Ticket prices have been set to: E-1 - E-4 - $7. E-5 - E-6, GS 9 and below, non-executive civilians - $15. E-7 - O-3, GS 11-12 - $30. O-4 and up, GS 13 and up, executive civilians- $40. Childcare will be free for military attendees and will be provided onsite near the ballroom area. People can be a part of this McConnell tradition by joining their wingmen, peers, mentors and wing leadership in a night to celebrate Airmen in today's ever-changing combatant force. For Air Force Ball tickets and more information, people should contact their first sergeants.