VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Col. Kurt Meidel, the 71st Flying Training Wing vice commander at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., offers a toast, “To the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army,” during Vance’s Air Force Birthday Ball Sept. 17. More than 200 Team Vance members and several Enid partners celebrated the Air Force’s 64th year as a separate service. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. James Bolinger)
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – A single rose stands on a table set for one at the Vance Air Force Base Birthday Ball Sept. 17. Tradition dictates that the rose at a Prisoner of War and Missing in Action table be accompanied by a slice of lemon on a plate, an inverted wine glass and a dash of salt. Accompanying this display was a hat from each of America’s five military branches which were placed on the table during a ceremony performed by the Vance AFB honor guard. Russell was the commander of the 1st Brigade, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, and helped lead the operations which led to the capture of Hussein. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. James Bolinger)
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Col. Russ Mack, left, the 71st Flying Training Wing commander, and Airman Kyrsys Sierra-Arenas, 71st Medical Operations Squadron, cut the cake during the Vance Air Force Base Birthday Ball. Following tradition, both swords stayed in the cake once it was cut. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. James Bolinger)
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Oklahoma State Senator Steve Russell, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and the guest speaker for the event, explains to the Airmen present how the U.S. military captured Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Russell was the commander of the 1st Brigade, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, and helped lead the operations which led to the capture of Hussein. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. James Bolinger)
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Photos of the hole which Saddam Hussein was hiding in are shown on a projector screen during Oklahoma State Senator Steve Russell’s speech at the Vance Air Force Base Birthday Ball. Russell was the commander of the 1st Brigade, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, and helped lead the operations which led to the capture of Hussein. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. James Bolinger)
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Members of a local band entertain Airmen and Enid personalities at the Vance Air Force Birthday Ball Sept. 17 at the Oakwood Country Club. More than 200 Team Vance members attended the 64th Air Force Birthday Party which lasted into the early morning hours. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. James Bolinger)