Ellsworth celebrates Air Force’s 70th birthday with free appreciation day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Thomas Karol
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

The 28th Bomb Wing is hosting a free appreciation day at the Pride Hangar Sept. 16, 2017.

The event is a celebration of the Air Force’s 70th birthday, and a way to recognize spouses and family members who supported Ellsworth Air Force Base while Airmen were deployed and participated in joint training exercises.

“The Ellsworth appreciation day is a day to give back,” said Capt. Zachary Jarvis, operations officer assigned to the 28th Security Forces Squadron. “This being the Air Force Global Strike Command Year of the Family, we decided to go for a more informal event rather than a ball or a dinner.”

The celebration includes a flyover from a B-1 Bomber and static displays of a B-1, B-52 Stratofortress from Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, F-16 Fighting Falcon from the South Dakota Air National Guard, and T-38 Talon from Whiteman AFB, Missouri.

The 28th SFS is conducting a military working dog demonstration. Members of the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Fire Protection flights will also showcase their capabilities.

There will be a rock climbing wall, bubble soccer, bouncy castles and games throughout the day.

Volunteers from the Active Airmen’s Council, Top 3, and the Company Grade Officers council will be assisting with the celebration.

“I am very excited about the event, I have never seen this before,” said Senior Master Sgt. Eric Simon, flight chief assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. “It will be a fun event for family members to attend.”

In case of inclement weather, activities will be moved inside the Pride Hangar.