Riptide marks Air Force's 64th birthday with style

  • Published
  • By Barbara Fuller
  • 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Air Commandos called to mind the Airman's Creed and celebrated the Air Force's 64th birthday during a meal among comrades, friends and family at the Riptide Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Sept. 19.

The event honored the anniversary of the Air Force becoming its own branch of the U.S. military on Sept. 18, 1947. The vision of the branch's forbearers was to establish an independent air service to provide global airpower to the nation.

Today, Airmen continue to build upon a history of integrity, service and excellence. Since the events of 9/11, many Americans have stood up and declared, "I am an American Airman. I am a Warrior. I have answered my nation's call."

Remarks from keynote speaker Col. James Slife, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, highlighted accomplishments and changes over the years. He stressed the importance of every person in the room including the men and women in uniform, contractors, civilians and their families.

Slife referenced the Airman's Creed in that Airmen are "faithful to a proud heritage, a tradition of honor and a legacy of valor."

Airman 1st Class Preston Harris, Tactical Air Control Party candidate, joined Slife as the most junior-ranking Airman in attendance to take part in the cake-cutting tradition.

Harris said he had a goal when he was younger - to join the Air Force. At the young age of 14, he started talking to recruiters and enlisted March 29.

The Chesnee, S.C., native has one sister and two brothers. His older brother, Staff Sgt. Joseph Craig Harris, is stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

Harris' original Air Force career field was in fire protection but gave it up for an opportunity to enroll in TACP training. As he explained it, Harris said he felt "TACP was what God had wanted for me."

So far, he describes the training as "something new and exciting as well as challenging - mentally and physically." He embraces the Airman's Creed and the belief that he is here to serve as a "guardian of freedom and justice."

Harris' wife Jacquelyn joined her husband and showed her support to celebrate the proud heritage of the Air Force. They have been married for six months. She comes from a small town in Maryland and admits she was scared to leave home. However, she is proud to be an Air Force spouse, which she called "an eye opener." All of her experiences "have been positive and a good opportunity to meet new and different people."

Event organizers extended special thanks to Tech. Sgt. Stacy Garner, 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron, for baking a homemade yellow cake from scratch.
She said she drew inspiration for the final design of the three-tiered cake from several ideas that came to mind using fondant, almond paste icing and Air Force plane replicas.

Garner has served in the Air Force for 17 years; the last five-and-a-half of those years at Hurlburt Field. She has been with the Air Force Food Services since February 2011. She said her best experience in the Air Force has been "meeting my husband at my second assignment." Tech. Sgt. Kevin Garner is currently stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.