2009 55TH WING BIRTHDAY BALL Published Feb. 27, 2009 By 55th Wing Birthday Ball Committee OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 55th Wing will hold its 31st annual Birthday Ball on Saturday, 28 March 2009 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. Brig. Gen. James J. Jones, 55th Wing Commander, will host the event. The theme this year is "Heritage, Culture, Values". The theme recognizes the wing's contribution to supporting our nation's defense through past and present members assigned to the 55th Wing. The ball celebrates the 68th anniversary of the 55th Wing from the activation of the 55th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field, CA, in January 1941. The group was transformed as the 55th Reconnaissance Group, which stood up at MacDill Field, FL, in Strategic Air Command in February 1947. In 1950, the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was born at Barksdale AFB, LA, then moved to Ramey AFB, PR, Forbes AFB, KS, and finally settled at Offutt AFB, NE until it became the 55th Wing in 1992. The ball was originated by Col. (now, retired Brig Gen) 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. Maj. John C. Francolini of the 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron is leading this year's Birthday Ball committee. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend. Last year's ball was attended by a crowd of 828 and was an immense success. Social hour starts at 1800 with dinner starting at 1900. Ticket prices are as follows: E1-E4/Pay Band 1 (Technical/Student) $10 E5-E6/Pay Band 1 (All Others) & Technical Pay Band 2 $20 E7-E8 $25 E9/Officers/Pay Band 2 (All Others), 3 and 4 $30 Group tickets sales representatives are: Ticket Master Committee MXG Master Sgt Darin Smith 294-5892 Master Sgt. Brent Brady 232-8773 Tech. Sgt. Jamie Kuranda 294-5891 Master Sgt. Jason Heiden 294-5270 MDG MSG Tech. Sgt. Amanda Cone 294-7405 Master Sgt. Brian White 294-4448 AB Jordan Robertson 294-7553 Tech. Sgt. William Todd Brewer 294-7815 CG Wing Staff 1st Lt. Andrew Kasperek 294-6670 Master Sgt. Elizabeth Jones 294-4628 Senior Master Sgt. Dean Corcoran 294-2798 Tech. Sgt. Christopher Marsh 294-4628 OG Capt. Eric Frahm 294-6747 1st Lt. Aaron Hediger 232-7377 The guest speaker is re Lt. Gen. Walter E. Buchanan III, former 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces commander . Dave Webber, sports personality from WOWT-TV in Omaha will once again be the Master of Ceremonies for the event. The program will include Wing Hall of Fame inductions and presentation of this year's winner of the 55th SRW Association's Award for Excellence. The Doc James Band featuring Honey will provide the musical entertainment. Three members of the band are former members of Tops in Blues including the 2008 Offutt Idol Winner. The Offutt Child Development Center will be open from 1730-2330 to provide care for children ages 6 months to 12 years of age. Reservations can be made by calling Child Development Center #1 at 294-2203 NLT noon on Wed, 25 March. The Omaha Hilton just across the street (with a skywalk) from the Qwest Center is offering a discounted lodging rate for this event. Mention "55th Wing Birthday Ball" to get the special rate of $119, plus taxes and fees. Reservations must be made by Fri, 6 March to receive this rate, call (402) 998-3400. Offutt Billeting also has rooms reserved. Contact them at (402) 294-3671 and mention "55th Wing Birthday Ball". "Tales of the 55th", the tenth edition of an additional event associated with the Ball, takes place at 1500 Friday, 27 March, at the Chief Master Sgt. James M. McCoy Airmen Leadership School at Offutt AFB, NE. Veterans of previous periods of the Wing's history will relate their personal experiences. The event is tri-sponsored by the 55th SRW Association, the Strategic Roost of the Association of Old Crows and the Order of Dadaelians. This event will be coordinated and Emceed by Jim Thomas, President of the 55th Association. It is well attended by senior wing staff and active duty troops, which 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. The "Tales of the 55th" is informal and light refreshments will be available. A $3 donation at the door is requested.