Air Force Ball set for Sept. 18

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. James Hodgman
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Travis Air Force Base, California, will host the Air Force Ball to celebrate the Air Force's 68th birthday 6 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Delta Breeze Club.

The theme for the event is providing hope, fueling the fight and saving lives. Event organizers hope attendees have a night to remember.

A typical Air Force Ball is usually a banquet style event. However, the Travis Air Force Ball will be different, said Master Sgt. Jennifer T. Michels, 60th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control training manager and one of the chairpersons of Travis's Air Force Ball Committee.

"Our event is planned to promote socializing," Michels said. "Each room will highlight a different theme and feature different forms of entertainment and heavy hor d'oeuvres showcasing food from around the world. We also will have eight bars and designated drivers will be on hand if anyone needs a ride home."

The main ballroom of the DBC will be decorated to highlight the saving lives theme, and will feature an aeromedical evacuation display and honor each Air Force specialty that has a role in saving lives, Michels said.

Wingman's Bar will be dedicated to the providing hope theme and will feature a C-5 Super Galaxy display while the Officer's Lounge will be dedicated to the fuel the fight theme and will feature the mission of the KC-10 Extender, as well as the Air Force specialties that support those missions.

Attendees also will have several options for entertainment including a performance from the Band of the Golden West, a disc jockey and karaoke. Additionally, a professional photographer will be available for portraits and a silly photo booth will be available for free photos.

The Travis Air Force Ball Committee planned an event that would promote a party atmosphere while honoring the history of Travis Air Force Base and the legacy of the Air Force, said Master Sgt. Erine Gallant, 60th Surgical Operations Squadron flight chief of obstetrics and gynecology services and the Air Force Ball Committee's decorations chairperson.

"It can be difficult for Airmen to understand how they impact the mission and many may not realize just how valuable they are to our mission," Gallant said. "We want Airmen to come to the Ball so they can see the impact they have, take pride in that and enjoy themselves."

Travis Airmen have provided support to those in need all across the globe.

In 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti. Travis Airmen aided the Haitian people by delivering two million pounds of relief supplies and evacuated more than 1,400 people from the island.

In 2011, Travis Airmen supported relief efforts in Japan after the island nation was rocked by an earthquake and tsunami. The base received more than 2,600 evacuees, 183 tons of evacuee baggage and provided care for 152 evacuee pets. In response to Superstorm Sandy in 2012, Travis launched C-5B Galaxy aircraft and placed C-17 Globemaster III crews on alert within 48 hours of the storm making landfall. Those aircraft delivered nearly 494 tons of humanitarian relief supplies.

"Everyone has a hand in how we provide hope, fuel the fight and save lives," Michels said. "Airmen can often forget about that and we hope by showcasing each of those missions and Air Force specialties that the Airmen who attend the ball will gain a greater understanding of the impact they have."

Event organizers are hopeful Team Travis shows up in large numbers for this year's event.
"I'm looking forward to celebrating the Air Force's 68th birthday with everyone and I hope everyone has a good time," Michels said. "We also hope to have even more than the 640 who attended last year."

The deadline to order tickets for the ball is September 8. Airmen can pay with cash, check or credit card. Checks should be made payable to the Travis Air Force Ball Committee. Ticket prices are listed below:

· Senior Airman and below:  $5
· Staff Sergeant - Technical Sergeant and Category I Civilians:  $25
· Master Sergeant - Senior Master Sergeant, 2nd Lieutenant - 1st Lieutenant and Category II Civilians:  $35
· Chief Master Sergeant, Captain and above, Category III Civilians:  $45

Enlisted service members are required to wear the mess dress or semi-formal uniform. Officers must wear the mess dress uniform and civilian attendees can wear formal or semi-formal attire. Party shirts are also authorized starting at 7:47 p.m., for service members wearing the mess dress uniform.

· The Travis Group Air Force Ball ticket representatives are:

· 60th Medical Group:  Senior Master Sgt. Misty Shaffer

· 60th Mission Support Group: Master Sgt. Christy M. Vaughn

· 60th Maintenance Group: Master Sgt. Paul L. Woodward

· 60th Operations Group: Staff Sgt. Glenn M. Bernier II

· 60th Wing Staff Agencies: Master Sgt. Cory L. McKelvey

· 621st Contingency Response Wing:  Master Sgt. Jason B. Wilson