17 September 2005

Gateway Club

Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

The Alamo Chapter of the Air Force Association

and the

37th Training Wing

presents

PatronsUSAASBC

Bank of America Military BankAir Force Federal Credit Union

Frost BankAGE Refining

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc.Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union

dNovus RDIApollo Gate Operators, Inc.

San Antonio Federal Credit UnionKarta Technologies, Inc.

Eisenhower National BankSecurity Service Federal Credit Union

Phyllis BrowningAir Force Village Foundation

Stumberg Foundation

2005 Birthday Ball Planning CommitteeCol Bonnie Lind, 2Lt Corey Everage, MSgt Ronney Isham,

MSgt Michael Kent, MSgt Shelia Meola, MSgt Richard Moses,MSgt Charles Rivera, TSgt Carlo Franco, TSgt “Yogi” Ybarra,

SSgt Jovanda Dew, SSgt Heather Miller, SSgt Jennifer Sawyer, Ms. Charlene Keen and the 37th Training Wing Protocol Staff

Thank you to everyone who made this Air Force Birthday Ball a success

Air Force Song

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,

Climbing high into the sun;

Here they come zooming to meet our Thunder,

At ‘em boys, Give ‘er the gun!

(Give ‘er the gun!)

Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,

Off with one helluva roar!

We live in fame or go down in flame.

Hey!

Nothing’ll stop the U.S. Air Force!

ALAMO CHAPTER

The Air Force Association (AFA) is an independent, non-profit, civilian organization promoting understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the security of the nation.

Founded in 1962, the AFA Alamo Chapter 234 is celebrating the Air Force’s 58th birthday. The Chapter represents all San Antonio Air Force organizations with additional representatives from the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Air Force Village, and Arnold Air Society. It is the largest AFA Chapter in the world with more than4,000 members. Membership is open to everyone, military and civilian..

Annually, the Alamo Chapter sponsors numerous programs to honor area base military and civilian employees. They provide scholarships for Alamo AFA members’ immediate family members, AFROTC cadets, JROTC students and CCAF graduates. Along with scholarships, they sponsor the Visions of Exploration programs for middle school classrooms and an essay contest for high school seniors. Alamo Chapter members have been recognized for their outstanding accomplishments with AFA awards at the local, state, and national levels. Other members within the chapter have held or currently hold Texas and National AFA level positions.

37th Training WingLackland Air Force Base, Texas

POW/MIA TRIBUTEThe small table at the front has been placed there for our POW/MIAs. The items on the table represent various aspects ofcourageous men and women still missing.

This table set for four is small, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoneralone against their oppressors.

The table cloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their response toour country’s call to arms.

The empty chair depicts an unknown face, representing no specific soldier, marine, sailor, or airman, but all who are not here with us.

The table is round, to show that our concern for them is never ending.

The Bible represents faith in a higher power and the pledge to ourcountry, founded as one nation under God.

The black napkin stands for the emptiness these warriors have left in the hearts of their families and friends.

The single red rose in a vase reminds us of their families and loved ones; the red ribbon tied represents the love of our country which inspired them to answer the nation’s call.

The yellow candle and its ribbon symbolize the everlasting hopefor a joyous reunion with those yet unaccounted for.

A slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate.

There is salt upon the plate, symbolic of the families’ tears as they wait.

The wine glasses turned upside down, reminds us that our distinguished comrades cannot be with us to drink a toast or join in the festivities this evening.

The Air Force first established the 37th Training Wing on 3 March 1953, designated as the 37th Fighter-Bomber Wing. Its first major combat mission was during military buildup launched by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to encourage the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to settle on a truce to end the Korean War.

In October 1966, the wing was reactivated as the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing and in March 1967, its first operational duty came during a three-year combat assignment in South Vietnam. In 1981, after an 11-year inactivation, the wing was activated at George AFB, California, flying F-4G Wild Weasel aircraft. In October 1989, the wing transferred to the Air Force's high security Tonapah Test Range in Nevada to bring the hitherto secret F-117 Stealth Fighter into operational configuration. The wing accomplished that task in time for its aircraft and crews to serve in the Persian Gulf War. The wing was inactivated on 8 July 1992. On 1 July 1993, it was activated as the 37th Training Wing at Lackland AFB as a training wing.

The 37th Training Wing is the largest training wing in the Air Force. It provides basic military, professional and technical skills, and English language training for the Air Force, other military services, government agencies, and allies. It also provides technical, professional, and management courses in Spanish. To accomplish this the wing is comprised of four training groups and one of the largest mission support groups in the Air Force. The 737th Training Group provides basic military training for all enlisted personnel entering the Air Force, the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard, graduating over 45,000 annually. The 37th Training Group conducts 380 technical training courses in a wide array of base support/combat support functions, military discipline and physical fitness for more than 38,000 students per year. The Defense Language Institute English Language Center conducts English training with an annual graduation rate of approximately 2,200 international and U.S. military students. The Inter-American Air Forces Academy conducts almost 50 technical, professional and management courses in Spanish for almost 1,000 students a year from the armed forces and governmental agencies of up to 18 Latin American countries. The 37th Mission Support Group is the largest mission support group in the continental United States and with its 4,800 personnel, and seven squadrons provide services that enhance the morale and welfare of all personnel assigned to Team Lackland.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTSSEQUENCE OF EVENTS

CocktailsCocktailsOpening RemarksOpening Remarks

Arrival of Head TableArrival of Head TablePresentation of ColorsPresentation of Colors

National AnthemNational AnthemPledge of AllegiancePledge of Allegiance

IntroductionsIntroductionsPOW/MIA TributePOW/MIA Tribute

InvocationInvocationDinner Dinner

Birthday Cake PresentationBirthday Cake PresentationIntermissionIntermission

The USAF Band of the West PerformanceThe USAF Band of the West PerformanceGuest SpeakerGuest Speaker

(General William R. Looney III)(General William R. Looney III)

Video PresentationVideo PresentationClosing RemarksClosing RemarksAir Force SongAir Force Song

DancingDancing

DINNER MENUDINNER MENUGrilled Chicken & Medallions of Beef TenderloinGrilled Chicken & Medallions of Beef Tenderloin

Twice Baked PotatoesTwice Baked PotatoesBroccoli Spears with ButterBroccoli Spears with Butter

Tossed Green SaladTossed Green SaladFresh Hot Rolls & ButterFresh Hot Rolls & Butter

Birthday CakeBirthday CakeIced TeaIced TeaCoffeeCoffee

Vegetarian Plate – Vegetarian LasagnaVegetarian Plate – Vegetarian Lasagna

General William R. Looney IIIGeneral William R. Looney III is Commander, Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. As commander, he is responsible for the recruiting, training and education of Air Force people. His command includes the Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered air forces and Air University. Air Education and Training Command consists of 13 bases, with more than 66,000 active-

duty members and 15,000 civilians.

General Looney graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1972, where he commanded the cadet wing in his senior year. The general has commanded a flight, a fighter squadron, two fighter wings, an air expeditionary force, a military college, a warfare center, a numbered air force and two acquisition centers.

General Looney flew 62 combat hours in the F-15 in support of Operation Southern Watch and commanded Joint Task Force 86-2 in support of Operation Uphold Democracy. He is a command pilot with more than 3,900 flying hours, including 2,500 hours in the F-15.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONSDistinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Air and Space Campaign Medal.