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Wing Ball planned for September

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Samara Taylor
  • 127th Wing
SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD, Mich. --  The 127th Wing is set to have the Wing Ball Sept. 17, 2016. 

The 127th ball is a biannual event held in conjunction with the day the Air Force became a separate branch of service under the National Security Act of 1947.

This year's theme is Honoring our Heritage--Forging our Future. Senior Master Sgt. Brian Henke, Wing Ball committee president, is expecting a great time for the ball; his team has put in a significant amount of planning, the heritage of the 127th Wing will be featured throughout the event.

In keeping with the theme, there will be two masters of ceremonies this year, said Henke.  The first emcee is retired Chief Master Sgt. William Livesay; he was the first member of the Wing to serve as the Wing command chief. He served as the wing's Senior Enlisted Advisor for several months in 1998 before officially becoming the wing command chief and he held the position into 2000 before retiring. 

The second master of ceremony is Airman 1st Class Brandon  Gifford, who joined the 127th Public Affairs  in August 2015, and has already received accolades from the National Guard Bureau as the Outstanding New Broadcaster of the Year.

The military ball is a formal event.  Military members are allowed to bring guests. Guests are expected to dress in a tuxedo or a formal dress. Military personnel dress in formal uniforms.  It is important for military personnel to check their formal uniform for proper fit and updated medals or ribbons. Airmen may reference the Air Force Instruction 36-2903, Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel, for updated information.

Tickets are now on sale at a discounted price of $25 and are available from unit orderly rooms or first sergeants.

The ball will preview the 100th year centennial celebration of Selfridge.  Lt. Col. Misty Hitchcock, 127th Wing project officer for the centennial, confirmed the Air Force Thunderbirds will be a part of the Open House on Aug. 19-20, 2017.

About the 127th Wing
Comprised of approximately 1,700 personnel and flying both the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker, the Michigan Air National Guard's 127th Wing supports Air Mobility Command and Air Combat Command operations by providing highly-skilled Airmen to missions domestically and overseas. The 127th Wing is the host unit at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which marks its 99th year of continuous military air operations in 2016.