KAF celebrates Air Force birthday

Photo By Lt. Col. Christopher Brautigam | Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Foglesong cuts the Air Force birthday cake at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. The cake was brought in as a surprise following a briefing to the leadership of Regional Command - South.  

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

09.18.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. John Etheridge 

ISAF Regional Command South

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Airman across Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan gathered together to celebrate the 67th birthday of the U.S. Air Force in a ceremony at Camp Davis on Sept. 18, 2014.

The ceremony, which was sponsored by the 451st Air Expeditionary Group, included a speech by Brig. Gen. Michael Fantini, a cake cutting ritual and a barbecue.

In his speech, Fantini recounted a brief history and lineage of the U.S. Air Force from 1907 to the U.S. Army Air Corps followed by the U.S. Army Air Services until its official organization on Sept. 18, 1947.

“No other country in the world can put a military capability together like the United States and no other country can rival the U.S. Air Force and how we move people around the world,” said Fantini to the audience.

He also spoke of the different strengths of the Air Force.
“We have a different perspective than the naval forces and a different perspective than the ground forces. We have this unique ability of speed range and flexibility,” he said. “I believe that the Department of Defense leads our society in integrating diversity and gender equality and that diversity gives us strength.”

Fantini also quoted Gen. Mark A. Welsh III is Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force:

“Sixty-eight years ago, America reflected on World War II and decided air operations were so crucial to fighting and winning our nation's wars that a separate and distinct service was necessary. Since then, our core missions haven't changed, although the way we accomplish those missions changes every day.’

For the cake cutting ritual, Col. Rhude Cherry, the commander of the 451st, called on the youngest and oldest Airmen in the audience to cut the first piece together.

“It was intriguing because of leaving the legacy behind,” said the oldest Airman, Senior Master Sgt.Patricia Stover of the 451st Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. “I’ll be on my way out and he’s just getting his career started. It was an honor.”

"It’s been a great experience. I haven’t been to one of these birthday celebrations yet,” said Airman 1st Class Christopher Polk with the 62nd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. “ It was fun to cut the cake and celebrate with everyone”

Following the ceremony and birthday cake cutting, the Airmen enjoyed a barbeque of steak, hamburgers and bratwurst.

• Date Taken: 09.18.2014
• Date Posted: 09.18.2014 15:28
• Story ID: 142590
• Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF