Celebrating 76 years of Air Force Heritage

Master Sgt. Sergio Escobedo, 372nd Training Squadron B-1 field training section chief, dances with his spouse at the Ellsworth Air Force Ball, Sept. 16, 2023, in Box Elder, South Dakota. The Air Force Ball is a social function for military members, their spouses and family to celebrate the U.S. Air Force birthday. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Maher)

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Celebrating 76 years of Air Force Heritage

The Ellsworth Air Force Ball cake sits in front of the ballroom dance floor, Sept. 16, 2023, in Box Elder, South Dakota. The Air Force Ball is a social function for military members, their spouses and family to celebrate the U.S. Air Force birthday. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Maher)

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Celebrating 76 years of Air Force Heritage

Col. Johnny West, left, 28th Maintenance Group commander, cuts the ceremonial cake with Airman Cameron Messenger, 28th Logistic Readiness traffic management technician for outbound cargo, during the Ellsworth Air Force Ball, Sept. 16, 2023, in Box Elder, South Dakota. With the Air Force celebrating its 76th birthday, the ceremonial cake was served by Ellsworth’s oldest and youngest military member. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Maher)

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Celebrating 76 years of Air Force Heritage

Col. Johnny West, left, 28th Maintenance Group commander, and Airman Cameron Messenger, 28th Logistic Readiness traffic management technician for outbound cargo, pose before cutting the ceremonial cake, Sept. 16, 2023, in Box Elder, South Dakota. With the Air Force celebrating its 76th birthday, the ceremonial cake was served by Ellsworth’s oldest and youngest military member. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Maher)

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Celebrating 76 years of Air Force Heritage

Brig. Gen (ret) Gentry Boswell, VRC Metal Systems vice president, delivers a speech during the Ellsworth Air Force Ball, Sept. 16, 2023, in Box Elder, South Dakota. Boswell is a 31 year veteran of the Air Force, serving in multiple joint operational command and staff assignments, including two wing commands, director of operations and communications for Air Force Global Strike Command, and director for special programs in the Pentagon Headquarters Air Force/A8D. Boswell also serves as an executive board member for task force dagger special operations foundation, supporting special forces warriors and families across Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps active duty and veteran ranks. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Maher)

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Celebrating 76 years of Air Force Heritage

Col. Derek Oakley, center, 28th Bomb Wing commander, raises his glass alongside honorary commanders, civic leaders, commanders, chiefs, first sergeants, members of team Ellsworth and sister services during the Air Force Ball, Sept. 16, 2023, in Box Elder, South Dakota. Oakley proposed a toast to the nation’s colors, carried into battle throughout the world by members of the United States Armed Forces. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Maher)

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Celebrating 76 years of Air Force Heritage

Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard members render a salute to the round table reserved for POW/MIA members, during the Air Force Ball, Sept. 16, 2023, in Box Elder, South Dakota. The table was set for six empty chairs, representing the Americans still missing from each of the five branches of military services and civilians. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Maher)

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Celebrating 76 years of Air Force Heritage

An Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard member holds a vase with a red ribbon, containing a single red rose from the table reserved for POW/MIA members, at the Air Force Ball, Sept. 16, 2023, in Box Elder, South Dakota. The single red rose represents the life of each of the missing and the vase with the red ribbon symbolizes the military’s continued determination to account for the missing. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Maher)

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Celebrating 76 years of Air Force Heritage

Senior Airman Atoa Ripley, 28th Maintenance Squadron Non-Destructive Inspection craftsman, sings the national anthem during the Ellsworth Air Force Ball, Sept. 16, 2023, in Box Elder, South Dakota. The Air Force Ball is a social function for military members and their spouses and family, to celebrate the U.S. Air Force birthday. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Maher)

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Celebrating 76 years of Air Force Heritage

Published Sept. 20, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Dylan Maher
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BOX ELDER, S.D. -- Master Sgt. Sergio Escobedo, 372nd Training Squadron B-1 field training section chief, dances with his spouse at the Ellsworth Air Force Ball, Sept. 16, 2023, in Box Elder, South Dakota. The Air Force Ball is a social function for military members, their spouses and family to celebrate the U.S. Air Force birthday. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Dylan Maher)