55TH WING BIRTHDAY BALL 2007

55TH WING BIRTHDAY BALL 2012

55WA members who wish to attend can contact Max Moore at MaxMoore55@aol.com for sign up and more details.

Tales of the 55th

The 55^{th
Wing will hold its 34th annual Birthday Ball Saturday, March
31, 2012}^{at the Embassy
Suites Convention Center in La Vista.} The gala event is open to all active duty ranks and civilian members of the wing, retirees, and by invitation to local dignitaries. The Ball is the Wing’s largest annual formal social function. Last year over 800 people attended. The event will be hosted by^{BrigGen Don Bacon, 55th
Wing Commander, and
his wife, Angela.}

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

The Ball celebrates the 71st anniversary of the unit from its roots in the activation of the 55th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field, CA, in January 1941, during World War II; 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 at Offutt AFB, NE, up to the present.

This year’s theme is “Three Generations of Integrity, Excellence, Service" recognizing the storied history of the Wing and the men and women who performed, and continue to execute, the many and varied missions the Wing operates worldwide in support of both peacetime and in the war on terrorism.

Captain Stan Montoya of the 55^th Strategic Communications Squadron leads the Ball Committee made up of personnel from a cross-section of the Wing’s units. Captain Megan Kessen of the 45^th RS is the vice chairman.

General Ronald R. Fogleman (USAF Retired) is this year's guest speaker. General Fogleman served as Air Force Chief of Staff from October 1994 thru August 1997 when he retired.

^{Dave Webber, sports personality from WOW-TV in Omaha, will
act as the master of ceremonies for the event. He served a tour
in the Air Force and was in the SAC Elite Guard at Offutt.}

Other items on the program include appropriate military ceremonies; induction of new members into the 55^th Wing Hall of Fame; presentation of the 55^th SRW Association Award for Excellence; and the traditional cutting of the birthday cake by the senior member in attendance, and the youngest member of the Wing. There will be dancing to the Raptor, a nine-piece versatile ensemble of the Heartland of American Band, after the ceremonies to wind up the evening.

^{Last
year’s Ball ceremonial cake cutting: L to R: Airman
Basic Robert Chandler of the 338^th
CTS,

the
newest member of the Wing; Brig General Bacon,55^th
Wing Commander; and LtCol (Ret) James Taylor,
representing a senior generation of the Fightin’ 55th.} ^{^{^{The first Birthday Ball
cake cutting in January
1979

L to R: former 55^{th
SRW commanders: Col Joe Church, then-Maj. Gen, George
Miller,
former CINSAC, Retired General Russell Daugherty, and

the serving 55th
commander then-Col Regis Urschler}}}}

The Association contributes $1000 annually to help defray the costs for younger airmen to attend. Max Moore and Bill Ernst represent the Association on the Ball planning committee.

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Accommodations at the Embassy Suites are available at a special rate of $119, plus taxes and fees. For reservations for Friday or Saturday, call 402-331-7400, mention the code 55W, or 55^th Wing Birthday Ball, to get the event rate. To get the special rate, reservations must be made not later than March 1.

“Tales of the 55^th,” the thirteenth edition of an additional event associated with the Ball, takes place Friday, March 30th, in the CMSAF James M. McCoy Airmen Leadership School. Doors open at 1500 for informal socializing, and viewing of heritage and history display. Then at 1630, veterans of various periods of the Wing’s history will relate their personal experiences. The event is co-sponsored by the 55^th Wing Association, the Strategic Roost of the Association of Old Crows, and the Lemay Flight, Order of Dadaelians. It is coordinated and emceed by Colonel (Retired) Jim Thomas, president of the 55^th Wing Association.

It is well attended by the senior wing staff and active duty troops, and has grown in each of the years it has been presented. This event is a must for out-of-towners who come to attend the Ball. It is informal, and eats and beverages will be available. A $4 donation will be accepted at the door to cover refreshments.

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Master of Ceremonies : Dave Webber - Former Sports Director , WOWT Channel 6, Omaha

One of the most familiar faces and voices in the Omaha community is that of former Sports Director Dave Webber.
In demand as a speaker, emcee, and genial host, he was a popular television figure in the area since 1978.
         Dave started his broadcast career as a disc jockey for KLNG Radio, and has also performed professionally as a folk singer. He joined KFAB Radio in 1970 then moved to Sioux City in 1973 to cover sports news for KMEG-TV. He returned to Omaha in 1977 to do the same for KMTV.
        After serving in the U.S. Air Force (he was a SAC Elite Guard) , Dave attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He was born in Evanston, Illinois, is married with three children, David, Marcie, and Joel, and enjoys singing, acting, and golf. Dave was the Sports Director for WOWT from 1978 till 2009. He thinks sports reporting is "fun", and that sense of fun comes through when he anchored the sports on the Channel 6 News.

U N I T E D   S T A T E S   A I R   F O R C E

GENERAL RONALD R. FOGLEMAN

Retired Sep. 1, 1997.

General Ronald R. Fogleman is chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. As chief, he serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipage of 750,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he and the other service chiefs function as military advisers to the secretary of defense, National Security Council and the president.

A 1963 graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy, he holds a master's degree in military history and political science, Duke University. A command pilot and a parachutist, he has amassed more than 6,800 flying hours in fighter, transport, tanker and rotary wing aircraft. He flew 315 combat missions and logged 806 hours of combat flying in fighter aircraft.

In early assignments he instructed student pilots, performed combat duty as a fighter pilot and high-speed forward air controller in Vietnam and Thailand, taught history at the Air Force Academy and conducted flight operations in Europe -- including duty as an F-15 aircraft demonstration pilot for international airshows. He commanded an Air Force wing, an air division, a numbered air force, a major command and a unified command.

EDUCATION
1963 Bachelor of science degree, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
1971 Master's degree in military history and political science, Duke University, N.C.
1976 Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 1963 - September 1964, pilot training, 3576th Student Squadron, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
2. September 1964 - May 1967, T-37 flight training instructor, 3575th Pilot Training Squadron, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
3. May 1967 - December 1967, flight examiner, 3575th Pilot Training Wing, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
4. December 1967 - June 1968, F-100 combat crew training, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.
5. June 1968 - December 1968, F-100 fighter pilot, 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam
6. December 1968 - April 1969, Operation Commando Sabre F-100 forward air controller, 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, South Vietnam
7. April 1969 - September 1969, F-100 fighter pilot, 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam
8. September 1969 - December 1970, student, history; preparation for U.S. Air Force Academy instructor, Duke University, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
9. December 1970 - April 1973, history instructor, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
10. April 1973 - August 1974, F-4D/E flight commander, 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand
11. August 1974 - July 1975, chief, rated officer career planning section, Headquarters Air Reserve Personnel Center, Lowry Air Force Base, Colo.
12. July 1975 - August 1976, student officer, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
13. August 1976 - February 1978, assistant deputy commander for operations, later, chief of the standardization and evaluation division, 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, Bitburg Air Base, West Germany
14. March 1978 - June 1979, deputy commander for operations, 32nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Camp New Amsterdam, Netherlands
15. June 1979 - August 1981, chief, tactical forces division, directorate of programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
16. August 1981 - June 1982, vice commander, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, Utah
17. June 1982 - March 1983, director of fighter operations, deputy chief of staff, operations, Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va.
18. March 1983 - August 1984, commander, 56th Tactical Training Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
19. August 1984 - March 1986, commander, 836th Air Division, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
20. March 1986 - January 1988, deputy director, programs and evaluation, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, programs and resources; chairman, Programs Review Committee, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
21. January 1988 - June 1990, director, programs and evaluation, and chairman, Air Staff Board, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
22. July 1990 - August 1992, commander, 7th Air Force, deputy commander in chief, United Nations Command; deputy commander, U.S. Forces Korea; and commander, Republic of Korea/U.S. Air Component Command, Combined Forces Command, Osan Air Base, Korea
23. August 1992 - October 1994, CINCUSTRANSCOM; commander, AMC, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
24. October 1994 - August 1997, chief of staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Command pilot, parachutist
Flight hours: More than 6,800, including 806 combat hours
Aircraft flown: T-37, T-33, F-100, F-4, F-15, F-16, A-10, C-21 and C-141
Pilot wings from: Republic of Korea, Romania and Thailand

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal with 17 oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Vietnam Service Medal with three service stars
Order of National Security Merit, Kooksun, Republic of Korea
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Venezuelan Air Force Cross, First Class
Knight Grand Cross, First Class, of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand
Grand Cordon, First Class, of the Rising Sun, Japan
Royal Order, First Class, of the Polar Star, Sweden
Legion of Merit, System of Cooperation among American Air Forces
Legion of Honor, with the rank of Commander, France

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Fellow, Inter University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society
Member, Council on Foreign Relations, New York City
Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award
H.H. Arnold Trophy

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Jun 5, 1963
First Lieutenant Dec 5, 1964
Captain Mar 10, 1967
Major Mar 1, 1971
Lieutenant Colonel May 1, 1975
Colonel Jan 1, 1980
Brigadier General Oct 1, 1985
Major General Feb 1, 1988
Lieutenant General Jul 1, 1990
General Sep 1, 1992

(Current as of August 1997)

U N I T E D   S T A T E S   A I R   F O R C E

COLONEL DONALD J. BACON

Colonel Donald Bacon is the Deputy Commander, Third Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. As the U.S. Air Forces in Europe component numbered air force for U.S. European Command, Third Air Force is responsible for supporting European Command Commander's strategic objectives across the full range of military operations. The Third Air Force directs all Air Force operations within the European Command area of responsibility and includes the 603d Air and Space Operations Center, ten USAFE wings and three stand-alone groups.
Colonel Bacon entered the Air Force in 1985 through Officer Training School at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He served in numerous operational and staff assignments at base level, Numbered Air Force and Headquarters Air Force. His assignments include command of the 435th Air Base Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany; Chief of Special Operations and Intelligence Information, Multi-National Force, Iraq; Commander, 55th Electronic Combat Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.; and Executive Officer to the Chief of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, Secretary of the Air Force, Washington, D.C.

EDUCATION
1979 American International Student Program, Aberdeen University, Scotland
1984 Bachelor of arts in political science and minor in history, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Ill.
1984 Internship with Congressman Edward Madigan, Washington, D.C.
1986 Officer Intelligence School (Distinguished Graduate), Lowry Air Force Base, Colo.
1989 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
1991 Navigator/Electronic Warfare School (Distinguished Graduate), Mather Air Force Base, Calif.
1995 Masters degree in management, University of Phoenix, Ariz.
1998 Air Command and Staff College (Distinguished Graduate), Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2000 Air War College Seminar (Excellent Graduate), Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2004 National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
2004 Fundamentals to Acquisition Course, Defense Acquisition University (on-line course)
2006 Seminar XXI, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Washington, D.C.
2009 Leadership Development Program, Eckerd College Leadership Development Institute, St. Petersburg,Fla.
2009 Enterprise Leadership Seminar, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, Charlottesville

ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 1985 - October 1985, student, Officer Training School, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. October 1985 - May 1986, student, Officer Intelligence School, 3470th Training Squadron, Lowry Air Force
Base, Colo.
3. May 1986 - February 1989, command, control and communications intel analyst and chief, Offensive
Missile Analysis Team, 544th Intelligence Analysis Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
4. February 1989 - February 1990, CINCSAC intel briefer, Strategic Air Command Headquarters, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
5. February 1990 - August 1990, indications and warning officer, 13th Air Force Headquarters, Clark Air
Base, Philippines
6. August 1990 - February 1991, squadron intel officer, 3d Tactical Fighter Squadron, Clark Air Base, Philippines
7. February 1991 - April 1992, student, Navigator and Electronic Warfare Schools, Mather Air Force Base, Calif.
8. April 1992 - July 1994, EC-130H/COMPASS CALL mission crew commander and flight commander,
41st Electronic Combat Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
9. July 1994 - February 1996, executive officer, 355th Operations Group, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base,
10. February 1996 - August 1997, assistant director of operations and chief of standardization and evaluation, 41st Electronic Combat Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
11. August 1997 - June 1998, student, Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
12. June 1998 - June 2000, chief, electronic warfare officer training, 45th Reconnaissance Squadron and chief of wing protocol, 55th Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
13. June 2000 - June 2001, operations officer, 355th Operations Support Squadron and 41st Electronic Combat Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
14. June 2001 - March 2002, executive officer to the commander, 12th Air Force, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
15. March 2002 - July 2003, commander, 41st Electronic Combat Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
16. August 2003 - June 2004, student, National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
17. June 2004 - April 2006, chief, space and enterprises integration division, Headquarters Air Force, and
executive officer to Chief of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer, Secretary of the Air
Force, Washington, D.C.
18. April 2006 - May 2007, commander, 55th Electronic Combat Group, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
19. May 2007 - June 2008, chief, Special Operations and Intelligence Information, Multi-National Force, Iraq
20. July 2008 - June 2009, commander, 435th Air Base Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
21. June 2009 - present, deputy commander, Third Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany

FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Evaluator/Instructor/Master Navigator (EWO)
Flight Hours: More than 1,600

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Aerial Achievement Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTIONS
Second Lieutenant August 1985
First Lieutenant August 1987
Captain August 1989
Major June 1997
Lieutenant Colonel May 2000
Colonel July 2005
(Current as of January 2011)

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