Once again the 55th Wing staged a memorable gala with its 23rd annual Wing Birthday Ball on February 24, 2001 at Harvey's Hotel ballroom in Council Bluffs, IA.
The event recognized the heritage and lineage of the WWII 55th Fighter Group, through the 55th Strat Recon Wing to the present day 55th Wing. This was a celebration of the 60th anniversary of the activation of the 55th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field, CA, in January 1941, and the Ball date this year coincided with the designation of the 55th Reconnaissance Group at MacDill Field, FL, in 1947.
Nearly 700 splendidly attired active duty, local dignitaries, and retirees attended this year. About 100 of those were members and guests of the 55th SRW Association, including Board members: Pres. Bill Ernst, VPres. Robb Hoover, Max Moore, Jim Maloney, Col Scott Merrow, and MSgt Steve Hargett.
Marion Taylor, Sandra Dubuy (wife of Hank), Jim Taylor, Pat Kennedy (wife of Ham)
Also attending were five former wing commanders: Colonel (Retired) Tony Martinez, BGen (Ret) Reg Urschler, Col (Ret) Steve Stevens, BGen (Ret) Larry Mitchell, Col (Ret) Bill Manire.
Regis Urschler and Debbie Polles( wife of Jeff)
(Notes: Ernst and Moore served on the Ball committee as special advisors. And the Association donated $1000 to support the festivities.)
Soon after the Wing Commander and Ball host, BGen Greg Power, gave his welcoming remarks, an early highlight of the evening was a rousing and enthusiastic toast to the President of the United States. Something not witnessed in the past eight years at this affair. HOO RAH!!!!!
First on the program agenda was BGen Power's State of the Wing message in which he chronicled last year's notable achievements by the Wing and recognized some outstanding performers.
Next, President Ernst announced the purpose and the winner of the inaugural 55th SRW Association Award for Excellence trophy. When the spectacular 48" tall, 70-lb. trophy was unveiled, there was a noticeable murmur of awe and appreciation from the assemblage. It is topped by an oversized (12"x16"), three-dimensional bronze replica of the Association's dual shield pin, has an acrylic depiction of the wing's historical recon aircraft, and is on a walnut base.
Pres. Ernst made the surprise presentation of the award to LtCol Ricky McMahon, commander of the 338th Combat Crew Training Sqd., who was acknowledged with a standing ovation led by the Wing's senior staff. LtCol McMahon was the man most responsible for the acquiring and establishing an in-house CCT school for the 55th Wing. His drive, dedication, leadership and professionalism typified the tenets of the Association; and over the past several years, led directly to the CCTS coming to fruition when the 338th was activated, the contract let and the program commenced in 2000.
Association President Bill Ernst, the trophy and LtCol Ricky McMahon
It was an imperative of the Association that the initial presentation of the Award for Excellence be creditable, have an absolutely outstanding recipient, and get off to a solid footing. It is the concerted and collective opinion of those who attended the Ball, that the goal was achieved with notable success. The annual award is on its way to "highly coveted" status.
Next on the program was the formal induction of two new members into the 55th Wing Hall of Fame. The late Colonel William (Bill) Riggs was selected for his stewardship of the 55th SRW as the longest serving commander (Aug 66- Jul 70). He oversaw the move of the Wing from Forbes AFB, KS to Offutt, and the transition into the RC-135 aircraft.
Col Riggs' daughter, Kim Chandio of San Antonio, TX, represented the family in accepting the portrait of Col Riggs. (She is pictured with Max Moore who wrote and submitted Col Riggs' nomination.) Mrs. Alice Riggs was unable to attend since she was recovering from surgery in late January.
The second inductee was CMSgt (Ret) Jerald Kozlek, who continued to serve the Wing as a civilian employee at Mildenhall RAF, UK. Mr. Kozlek was cited for his superior work and support of the RC-135 operations in the Europe and Southwest Asia theaters.
Past Hall of Fame inductees at the Ball this year were: MGen (Ret) Ed Giller of the 55th Fighter Group, Urschler, Harry Tull, Hank Dubuy, and Larry Mitchell.
In keeping with the Ball's theme of "Silent Partners", six organizations of acquisition, maintenance and modification and personnel support were recognized by BGen Power as groups who have helped the 55th get its vital missions done over the years. Those were: the Big Safari Program; Boeing Aerospace; Raytheon Company; Detachment 2, Air Force Material Command (Greenville, TX); the Air Force Association
Omaha chapter; and the Offutt Advisory Council.
There was a sumptuous meal, wine flowed and table-hopping camaraderie abounded. The traditional birthday cake cutting was done by BGen Power, MGen Giller (as the elder ranking member) and the youngest airmen newly assigned to the Wing, who looked to be about sixteen years old. General Giller commented to the crowd, that little did he know when he was invited to attend the first Ball in 1979, that it would continue on this long. He added he was pleased with what he sees in the current crop of active duty troops, and is proud they are following in the footsteps of the WWII warriors.
The evening would up with dancing to the Heartland of America Band's NightWing pop music group.
It can be proudly noted that those folks who lingered the longest at the Ball were Association members, locals and out-of-towners, and their loyal spouses, who continued to reminisce well past midnight, seemingly not wanting the evening to end.
Sandy Feldkamp (wife of Al), Suzanne Stevens (wife of Steve), Linda Ernst (wife of Bill),
Susan Mitchell (wife of Larry), Carol Moore (wife of Max), and Debbie Polles (wife of Jeff)
On Friday, Feb 23, at the Offutt O-club, the 55th SRW Association and the Association of Old Crows' Strategic Roost co-sponsored an informal program, the "Tales of the 55th". Hoover planned and organized the event and Urschler emceed. Featured speakers were Dubuy, who recounted the April 1965 attack of North Korean MiGs on a 55th SRW RB-47H commanded by LtCol Hobart Mattison; and David "Tiny" Wolfe, Jim Arbuckle and Reggie Stewart with a comprehensive recap of 55th Southwest Asia operations during Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the Gulf War.
All in all, it was one more occasion for a gathering of the 'old heads' that makes the Birthday Ball weekend a mini-reunion in and of itself. More of you are encouraged to come see what this is all about. Try it. You'll like it!
By Max Moore
