Birthday Ball 2002

The 55th Wing held its 24th annual Birthday Ball Saturday, February 23, 2002 at the Holiday Inn Central in Omaha. The gala event was attended by the active duty wing members, community leaders and retirees. Nearly 80 Association members and guests, including President Ernst, VP Hoover, Secretary Moore, Board members Mike Cook, Bob Krist, Jim Maloney and MSgt Steve Haggett and their wives, represented the 55th SRW Association.

The Ball celebrated the 61st anniversary of the organization from its roots in the activation of the 55th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field, CA, in January 1941. Then its heritage through the 55th Reconnaissance Group, which stood up at MacDill Field, FL, in Strategic Air Command in February 1947; the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing from 1950 to 1992, at Barksdale AFB, LA, Ramey AFB, PR, Forbes AFB, KS, and Offutt AFB, NE, and up to the present.

The Ball was originated by then-Colonel (now, retired BGen) Regis F. A. Urschler, commander of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing in January 1979. His idea was to connect the wing's roots and heritage to the active duty personnel and missions. That tradition continues today.

This years theme was "Global Connection - Force Protection". The intent was to recognize the Wing's varied missions and the vital role they play in our nation's, and that of the free world's, defense.

Colonel John McLean, 55th Wing Vice Commander, hosted this year's event. The program included the State of the Wing review; induction of new members into the 55th Wing Hall of Fame; presentation of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Association Award of Excellence; and the traditional cutting of the birthday cake by the eldest ranking member in attendance, MGen (Ret) Ed Giller, Colonel McLean, and the youngest member of the Wing. The Nightwing group of the ACC Heartland of America Band performed.

**Hall of Fame**

A composite induction to the Wing Hall of Fame recognized the ultimate sacrifice for country by Major Will Palm, Major Eugene Posa, Captain Dean Phillips and Captain Oscar Goforth, who were lost on 1 July 1960 when their RB-47 was shot down in an unprovoked attack by a Soviet MiG over international waters. Members of the families who attended the Ball were: Michelle Palm Emery, Willard's daughter; Phillips' widow and daughter, Patricia and Roxanne; and Marie Goforth McAtee, Oscar's widow. Col (Ret) Bruce Olmstead, the crew's co-pilot, represented the Posa family. LtCol (Ret) James Taylor, an RC-135 EWO, who served in the 55th SRW/343rd SRS circa 1980s was also inducted.

**Association Award of Excellence**

President Ernst announced the winners of the 55SRW Association Award of Excellence for 2001 were MSgt Steve and MSgt Lisa Haggett. This outstanding and dynamic duo was recognized for their superior professionalism, significant contributions to the 55th Wing and for their unselfish commitment to worthy community causes.

The Association also donated an engraved saber to be used for the ceremonial occasions. Secretary Moore made the presentation (without actually falling on the thing) just prior to the cake cutting on behalf of the entire Association membership, concluding with a rousing, "Happy Birthday, Fightin' Fifty-Fifth, and God Bless America!"

The Ball planning committee was lead by Major Scott Meeker, and 2Lt Amy Mathias, of the 55th Communications Group. Ernst and Moore represented the Association as advisors to the committee, and the membership donated $1000 to assist in the Ball's financing, plus another $500 toward portraits which were given to the Palm crew family members.

**Tales of the 55th**

On Friday, the 22nd of February, the evening preceding the Ball,"Tales of the 55th" program began with a social hour, and then veterans of the 55th's history related personal experiences. About 180 persons, including those in town to attend the Ball, were at the party. Many more were active duty troops were there including several members of the Wing's senior staff.

"Pop" Kaden told of his pioneer recon experience with an RB-50 over-flight of Franz Josef Island in 1952, flown round-robin out of Thule AB in Greenland, and the challenges of those early days. Bruce Olmstead narrated the ordeal of the shoot down of Palm's crew, of which he was the copilot, and the ensuing captivity survived by him and John McKone, the navigator, of seven months in Lubyanka Prison. LtCol Will Hampton of the 343rdRS represented the current 55th Wing operations and spoke about the wing's efforts in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan.

This was the second year for this event and it is already an established tradition to enhance the Birthday Ball weekend. It is cosponsored by the Association and the Strategic Roost of the Association of Old Crows, and once again superbly orchestrated by Hoover.

The 2003 Birthday Ball will be held on 1 February at Harrah's Hotel in Council Bluffs, IA. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend! It's worth the trip!