AF Ball committee bustling in preparations for upcoming Ball

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kirsten Wicker
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The Air Force Ball committee is busy organizing and planning for the upcoming Air Force Ball here Sept. 13. 

"We are busy now making preparations for a great Ball," said 1st Lt. Elisa Van Cise, 62nd Logistics Readiness Squadron and an Air Force Ball committee member. "We encourage everyone to come participate in the festivities." 

The Ball will be held in Hangar 9 and is open to active duty, reserve, DoD civilians, retirees and local civic leaders. Social hour begins at 5 p.m., with dinner served at 5:45 p.m. A classic buffet will be prepared and served by the McChord Clubs and Community Center staff. 

The theme for this year's ball, Berlin to Baghdad: A 60-Year Legacy of Victory through Airlift, was an idea hatched by Lt. Col. Albert Miller, 8th Airlift Squadron commander, to recognize how airlift has played a significant role in the war fighting capabilities of our Air Force. 

"The theme is relevant to our base, our Airmen and our nation," said Master Sgt. Brian Baker, 62nd Equal Opportunity office and Air Force Ball committee co-chair. "This year we celebrate the 60-year anniversary of the Berlin Airlift and its impact on World War II. We want to highlight that victory as it continues into today." 

The evening's guest speaker is Maj. Gen. Robert Allardice, a former 62nd Airlift Wing commander and the current director of strategy, plans and policy at U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Following the speaker, "Pop-Offs", will perform to keep the party going until 9 p.m. with their renditions of classic music from the 1960s through the 90s. 

Tickets can be purchased beginning Aug. 15 through an electronic pro rata distributed by e-mail from wing executives. Tickets will no longer be available for purchase after Sept. 10. The cost of tickets for E-1 to E-6 and GS-6 and below is $15; E-7 to O-3, GS equivalent, retirees and civic leaders is $20; O-4 and above is $25. Airmen should wear semi-formal or mess dress uniform. Civilians should wear a civilian equivalent. For more information or to volunteer to help, contact Capt. Samuel Aston at 982-9450 or Master Sgt. Brian Baker at 982-2925. 

To help raise money for the occasion, committee members have organized a golf tournament, which kicks off at noon Aug. 14 at Whispering Firs Golf Course. For E-1 to E-5, the cost is $35 and for E-6 and up the cost is $45. There will be approximately 18 holes and four-person best ball. For more information concerning the golf tournament, contact Staff Sgt. Maricel Martinez at 982-5439.