Jay Leno headlines at Travis' U.S. Air Force 60th Anniversary celebration

  • Published
  • By 349th AMW Public Affairs Staff
  • 349th Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A seamless blend of past and present, camouflage and sparkle, Team Travis showed up in force to celebrate the Air Force's 60th birthday at a military ball held at Travis Air Force Base, Sept. 14.
More than 1,000 airmen, civilians, and distinguished guests commemorated the event at Hanger 818, which had been transformed into an elegant ballroom for the gala event.
Celebrity guest Jay Leno, host of NBC's Tonight Show, added excitement to the historic birthday bash and made the already desirable tickets even harder to obtain. For the lucky individuals able to secure the hot seats, a beautiful night of food, fun, and laughs was secured.
Smartly paraded, the colors followed the official party. With the click of the Honor Guard stepping in perfect time attendees stood to a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner sung by Senior Airman Blaire Sieber of the 22nd Airlift Squadron. Chaplain Leon Page of the 60th Air Mobility Wing Chaplain's Office delivered an invocation that recognized the troops both here and abroad.
Master Sgt. Paul McCullough, 349th Travis Honor Guard trainer and member, read poetry of military sacrifice coupled with Adagio for strings, the tribute filled the room in warm emotional waves, a reminder and a toast to brothers and sisters at arms who continue fighting for freedom as others celebrate here at home.
"There is no better place to spend a great evening than with Team Travis and our community partners," said Brig. Gen. Thomas Gisler Jr., commander, 349th Air Mobility Wing. Welcoming all, he spoke of Travis history and heritage.
"Not only is Travis the Gateway to the Pacific, but it is now the largest aerial port in the United States. We have a proud history and provide the best rapid airlift and air mobility throughout the nation. Tonight we are gonna rock this place from wall to wall and celebrate the great men and women of this great base!" said General Gisler.
"The Air Force has always been forward thinking," said Col. James Pavlisin, vice commander, 15th Expeditionary Mobility Task Force. "We need to celebrate the past and keep our eyes firmly fixed on the future," he added.
Col. Richard McClain, vice commander, 615th Contingency Response Wing, pumped up the crowd by asking, "Team Travis are you out there!?" Breaking out in a roar the group responded to the colonel who spoke with a smile about how the mission in the Air Force is now much more expeditionary and lessons learned are the very reason for the newly formed 615th CRW here at Travis.
As guests enjoyed the buffet dinner prepared by the 60th Services Squadron and the 349th Memorial Affairs Squadron, the Band of the Golden West played a musical tribute and highlighted the many different accomplishments of the Air Force throughout its sixty years. Big band swing like "Jump, Jive and Wail" were followed by the theme song to M.A.S.H., a 1970s television show that depicted life for U.S. troops in Korea during the Korean War.
As each piece was played a narrator read news and other facts highlighting Air Force history from the Army Air Corps to our present day air and space force.
The pageantry continued after dinner with the ceremonial cutting of the cake by the most senior and most junior Airmen in attendance. This time-honored tradition symbolized the cooperation between the ranks and represents the past, present, and future of the Air Force.
Col. Steve Arquiette, commander, 60th AMW, welcomed Jay Leno to the stage. Laughter and the occasional groan resounded throughout the hangar as Mr. Leno related personal experiences, insights, and comments about world events. As he completed his monologue, the nightly playing of "Taps" began playing across the base-wide notification speakers. "I know I didn't kill 'em tonight, but I didn't think I was that bad," Mr. Leno joked.
Jay Leno, who has entertained troops abroad with the USO, closed by saying, that everyone made a "big deal" that he was there. "You are the big deal, not me," Mr. Leno said to the audience. "Helping people laugh is what I do to do my part," he said. "People seem to like it, but hey, you guys are the heroes."
As a token of gratitude, Mr. Leno was presented a 60th Wing bomber jacket, embossed with his name. Visibly moved, Leno quickly removed his suit jacket and donned the gift. The evening's program concluded with a rousing version of the Air Force song.