55TH WING BIRTHDAY BALL 2007
The 55th Wing will hold its 29th annual Birthday Ball, Saturday, March 31, 2007 at the Qwest Center Omaha. The ball is the Wing’s largest formal social function each year. The gala event is open to all active duty ranks, retirees, and by invitation to community leaders. Brigadier General Jonathan George, the 55th Wing Commander, will host the event.The theme this year is “Safeguarding Our Nation….Assuring Freedom!”, recognizing the men and women who perform the many and varied missions the Wing executes worldwide in support of both peacetime and the war on terrorism.
The ball celebrates the 66th anniversary of the Wing 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; then 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 BrigGen) Regis F. A. Urschler, commander of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, in January 1979. His intent was to connect the wing’s foundation, history and heritage to the active duty personnel and missions. That tradition continues today.
Captain Brian Spliethof of the 55th Communications Group heads the 2007 Ball committee. More details will be forthcoming as they develop. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend. Max Moore and Bill Ernst represent the Association on the committee, and the Association contributes $1000 each year to help defray the costs for younger enlisted personnel to attend.
On Friday, March 30, the afternoon before the Ball, the seventh annual edition of the “Tales of the 55th” will take place at the Patriot Club to kick off the ball weekend activities. This function is coordinated by the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Association and Jim Thomas is organizer and emcee for the event.
There is a tie-in with the Hilton Hotel just across the street from the Qwest. For reservations for the 30-31 March 2007, call 402-998-3400, mention the 55th Wing Birthday Ball to get the event rate of $109. They have 40 rooms for Friday and 70 for Sat at the special rate of $109, bottom line I'm informed. Reservations to get the rate must be made NLT 1 March 2007.
Booking can be done thru Hilton main reservations at 1-800-HILTONS or the hotel direct: 1-402-998-3400. Code words are 55WING BIRTHDAY BALL .
