Heritage to Horizons; Nellis Celebrates 60th Anniv. Published Sept. 11, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Ryan Whitney Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Nellis Air Force Base celebrated the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force as an independent branch of service with the 2007 Air Force Ball held at the Mirage casino hotel in Las Vegas Sept. 8. The theme for this year's Air Force Ball, "Heritage to Horizons," was meant to honor the heroes of the past as well as the present, said Maj. David Fitzgerald, deputy commander of the 99th Communications Squadron. "Tonight we look back on a proud heritage and commit to forging a continuing legacy for air, space and cyberspace power," Maj. Gen. Michael Worden, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, said in his opening comments. More than 1,400 Airmen and guests who attended the ball this year were honored with the company of five distinguished honorary guests - two original Tuskegee Airmen, Dr. Thurston Gaines and Lt. Col. Asa Herring; two original Doolittle Raiders, Maj. Gen. David "Davy" Jones and Lt. Col. Dick Cole; as well as Capt. R. Max Boyd, a B-17 pilot who flew with the 398th Bomb Group, flying more than 660 combat hours. "I am a member of the Nellis Honor Guard, and I am often the representative of the Air Force in the local community. Being at the ball reminded me once again what it is that I am representing, the legacy of the greatest Air Force in the world, and I am proud to be a part of it," said Airman 1st Class Jon Ledbetter with the 57th Weapons Support Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School. There were also 76 Bronze Star recipients from Nellis and Creech Air Force Base present at the ball who were recognized as heroes in the Global War on Terrorism. The Air Force Ball is the first of many events planned to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the most powerful air and space power in the world. Other events scheduled are Air Force Week in Las Vegas, Nov. 4-11, and the Nellis Air Show, Nov. 10-11.
