55th WING BIRTHDAY BALL 2004

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The annual 55th Wing birthday weekend was 23-24 January 2004, and it was another in the continuing string of outstanding events for the Association and the Wing.

"Tales of the 55th"

On Friday afternoon, 23 January, a large crowd of over 200 active duty troops, Association members and guests attended the fourth edition of the "Tales of the 55th", once again organized by Hoover who also acted as emcee. The event was cosponsored by the Association and the Strategic Roost of the Association of Old Crows.

It began with a social period, and the program was opened with the sounding of the recovered 55SRW bell, which had been used on celebratory occasions in the 1960s at RAF Upper Heyford. A framed copy of the 55th SRW Cold War Memorial dedication crowd panoramic photo was presented to BGen Koziol for the 55th Wing, by Association President Ernst. Then the general made a formal announcement regarding the permanent display of the 55th ceremonial bell.

He also related his experience on a 26 hour humanitarian mission over Kosovo in which he was a participant as a lt. colonel Security Service squadron commander.

Other speakers were: Max Moore, who recounted the incident of 17 November 1970, when Jimmie Jones' RC-135 crew was intercepted by Soviet MiGs, which subsequently fired warning shots 'across the bow'; LtCol Jeff Needham, 343dr/CC, telling of the experience of the terrorist attack on a 55th crew bus in Athens in 1987; and LtCol Ken McDaniels and Maj Rich Linehan, 338CTS, regarding 55th Wing sorties during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Mar/Apr 2003.

The Birthday Ball

The 26th Birthday Ball was held on Saturday, January 24, 2004, at Omaha's Doubletree Hotel, and an outstanding event it was! This year's theme was "Celebrating Our Past" with a World War II motif.

The Association contributes $1000 annually to help support the Ball. In recent years, Ernst, Hoover and Moore have served on the Ball committees as special advisors.

The gala event was attended by a packed house of over 700 active duty wing members, community leaders and retirees. Well over 100 Association members and guests, including Pres Ernst and his wife, Linda; VP Hoover and Shirley, Secretary Moore and Carol. Board members Jim Maloney and Peg, Michael Cook and Tina, Jim Thomas, LtCol Will Hampton and Jennie, and Capt Beth Kelley, Denny Haun and Cheryl also represented the 55th SRW Association.

Four former wing commanders attended: LtGen (Ret) George Miller, Steve Stevens with wife Suzanne; Larry Mitchell and Susan; Bill and BJ. Manire.

In addition to the many local Association members, several parties from out of town attended the festivities: Jean O'Kelley, Bess Tejeda Bergmann, Jim and Marion Taylor, Pete and Treva Potter, Roger Craig, Hank and Sandra Dubuy, Al and Sandy Feldkamp, Al Kamback, John Caban, Joe Siniscalchi, Clark Hinkle, Fox and Theresa Censullo, Ken and Pam Urtz, Loose and Cynthia Lane, Jack and Retha Cooke, Don and Margaret White, LtCol Ricky McMahon, and LtCol Tim Spaeth and Deb.

WWII veterans Dewey Ballard and his wife Mary Frances, and Harold Hall also represented the 55th Fighter Group.

The Program

The program included presentation of the colors, the national anthem, and POW/MIS ceremony. Opening and closing remarks were made by BGen Koziol, plus his State of the Wing presentation. Also on the agenda were the induction of new members into the Wing's Hall of Fame the 15 members of Stan O'Kelley'ls RB-50 crew, and the announcement by Pres Ernst of 55SRW Association Award for Excellence given to Col (select) Glen Gullekson.

BGen Koziol, LtCol (Ret) Neil Webster representing the 55th Fighter Group, and the youngest airman in attendance, did the ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake. They used the 55th SRW Association engraved saber which was presented to the Wing at the 2001 Ball. Commiserating, reminiscing, visiting old friends and dancing went on until midnight.

Music was performed by "The Noteables", the big band ensemble of the ACC Heartland of America Band, who wore their WWII replica uniforms befitting the evening's theme.