Photo By Airman 1st Class Frederick Barnes | U.S. Airman 1st Class Esabelle Enderle, 62d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief apprentice, performs the national anthem at the Hotel Murano, Tacoma, Washington, Sept. 12, 2026. Enderle’s performance for the Air and Space Forces Association McChord Field Chapter’s 79th Air Force Ball was accompanied by a presentation of the colors by the McChord Field Honor guard. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Frederick Barnes) see less
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES
Team McChord celebrates 79 years of Air Force heritage
TACOMA, Wash. — Team McChord Airmen and community partners celebrated the U.S. Air Force’s 79th anniversary during the Air and Space Forces Association McChord Field Chapter’s Air Force Ball, Sept. 12, 2026. The event, steeped in military tradition, honored a year of strategic success and camaraderie for the 62d Airlift Wing.
U.S. Air Force Col. Jessica Regni, 62d Airlift Wing commander and keynote speaker, expressed deep appreciation for the service members and families of Team McChord. During her address, Regni highlighted the wing's historic heritage and celebrated the past year's operational victories, emphasizing the dedication of the Airmen that made every mission possible.
“Every day, the Airmen, civilians and families of McChord make a difference,” said Regni. “In big waves and small, for people in your unit, and for people on the other side of the world that you may never meet. Every day, you make history.”
Throughout the last year, McChord Airmen deployed in support of global contingency operations while still participating in large scale exercises such as Operation KENNEY STRIKES BACK, GUNFIGHTER FLAG 25-02 and Storm Flag 26-10. Their dedication to the global mobility mission and the acceleration of combat readiness remains constant today.
“We are a service born of people,” said Regni. “We’ve seen this fact, this truth of our service, echo throughout the history of the 62d and here at McChord. We’ve seen it over the past year — people — make all the difference.”
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