The 55th Wing at Offutt AFB, NE presented the 22nd Birthday Ball on 29 January 2000 at the Embassy Suites near Omaha’s Old Market. The gala Y2K event celebrates the 49th anniversary of the Wing’s founding unit, the 55th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field, CA, on 15 January 1941.

Over 600 55thers attended the Birthday Ball at the Embassy Suites in the Old Market district of Omaha. LtGens Tom Keck and Phil Ford were saluted for their service with portraits in their honor. Colonel Carl Comte was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Guest speaker Dr Rebecca Grant delivered a stirring talk on the essence of airpower through the ages as the essential component of the "warrior's art." She proclaimed that "although Lincoln may be the capital of the state of Nebraska, Omaha is the capital of the state of deterrence." She also noted that the motto "We See All" referred to not only the global surveillance operations of the 55th, but also total coverage of the electromagnetic spectrum.

As 55th Commander Brigadier General Ron Sams surveyed the festive scene, his multi-talented Vice Commander, Colonel Greg Smith, burst forth into song on stage -supercharging the evening's entertainment. With the moving vans having just departed their quarters on General's Row, Ron and Diane Sams head east next week for Langley AFB.

Reported by Robb Hoover.

Reg toasting the 82nd Hoggie	Bill Ernst and Reg Urschler	Fritz Hyde, Tom Garrity and Bo Martin
Don Mather and Harry Tull	Pete and Treva Potter	Sandra Dubuy, Katie Peterson and Marty Hyde