Air Commandos celebrate Air Force's 63rd Birthday

Col. Michael Plehn, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, and Airman Basic John Powell, tactical air control party trainee, use a ceremonial sword to cut the first slice of a birthday cake marking the Air Force's 63rd birthday during a celebration at the Riptide Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 17. 2010. Both Colonel Plehn and Airman Powell participated in a military tradition in which the most senior and most junior Airmen serve the first slice of cake together. (Courtesy photo by Barbara Fuller) (RELEASED)

Air Commandos celebrate Air Force's 63rd Birthday

(From left to right) Col. Curt van de Walle, 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group commander, Senior Airman Nicole Taber, 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron food services specialist, Senior Airman Ashley Zamora, 1st SOFSS food services specialist, Col. Michael Plehn, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, Airman Basic John Powell, tactical air control party trainee, and Chief Master Sgt. Dexter Mitchell, 1st SOW command chief, pose next to a birthday cake marking the Air Force's 63rd birthday during a celebration at the Riptide Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 17. 2010. Both Airmen Taber and Zamora collectively spent 24 hours baking the three-layer red velvet and white marble cake complete with fondant and almond paste icing. (Courtesy photo by Barbara Fuller) (RELEASED)

Air Commandos celebrate Air Force's 63rd birthday

Published Sept. 21, 2010
By Barbara Fuller
1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- The Air Commandos celebrated the Air Force's 63rd birthday with camaraderie and a special meal at the Riptide Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Sept. 17.

The event honored the anniversary of the Air Force becoming its own branch of the U.S. military on Sept.18, 1947.

During his keynote remarks, Col. Michael Plehn, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, highlighted the accomplishments and changes that he's observed throughout his 23-year career, including the reduction of active duty forces.

He also stressed the importance of every person in the room to include the men and women in uniform, contractors, both civil service and non-appropriated funded civilian employees, and their families.

"We couldn't do what we do without each of you and your support," Colonel Plehn said. "The bottom line is: we need you."

Airman Basic John Powell, a tactical air control party trainee who graduated from Basic Military Training Aug. 6, then joined Colonel Plehn in a tradition in which both the most senior and most junior Airmen cut the first slice of a cake.

When asked why he joined the Air Force, Airman Powell replied, "To serve my country and do something challenging."

The event concluded with Colonel Plehn thanking Senior Airmen Nicole Taber and Ashley Zamora, both 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron food service specialists, for baking the three-layer red velvet and white marble cake complete with fondant and almond paste icing. The edible wings of the Air Force logo topped the cake to give it a three-dimensional look. Collectively, it took them 24 hours to prepare the cake for the celebration.