CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
"Proud Heritage ... Soaring into the Future" is the theme for the 2009 Air Force Ball scheduled to be held Oct. 3 at the Charleston Area Convention Center.
In this venue, Team Charleston plans to present an appreciative look back at its grand beginnings while bridging that history with a celebration of its current and future successes.
The planning committee has also embraced the theme by adding some new features to go along with tradition.
"There are many exciting changes for the upcoming ball," said Master Sgt. Connie Lindsey, Air Force Ball chair. "More time is available to get around the ballroom and socialize. We will also display vintage Air Force uniforms around the room as a reflection of our service pride."
The evening is planned to begin with a fun cocktail hour at 6:00 p.m. with dinner served at 7:00 p.m. offering some of the best foods in Charleston. The Company Band will provide entertainment for guests with a wide song selection and their musical versatility.
All members of Team Charleston are invited to take part in this great event.
Tickets are $35 and can be paid by cash or check. Credit cards are accepted, but will be billed a convenience charge of $1.75 for Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, and $2 will be billed for American Express.
Event attire is mess dress for officers, mess dress or semi-formal for enlisted personnel and "black tie" for civilians. Party shirts are authorized.
The 437th Logistics Readiness Squadron will offer valet parking at the Performing Arts Center Parking for $5 and additionally, a free shuttle bus will run from the commissary parking lot before and after the event.
Childcare will be provided by the Charleston AFB First Six Council at the convention center for a small fee of $10 for the first child and $5 each additional child, up to a max of $30 per family. Registration for childcare will end Sept. 30.
The featured guest speaker for the evening is Lt. Gen. Robert Allardice, the new 18th Air Force commander, an Airman who has experienced many proud moments in Air Force history during the course of his career.
General Allardice entered the Air Force in 1980 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. His career includes a variety of operational and staff positions, including command at the squadron, group and wing levels.
He has deployed three times in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. In 2001, he commanded the strategic humanitarian airdrop which began on the first night of combat operations in Afghanistan. In the opening days of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he commanded and led the airdrop of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, seizing vital territory in northern Iraq.
Most recently, he deployed to Iraq as Commander, Coalition Air Force Transition Team. There, he was responsible to the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq for standing up the Iraqi air force.
To find a sales representative near you, contact Shayla Blair at 963-5676, or by e-mail at shayla.blair@charleston.af.mil. For childcare information, contact Staff Sgt. Tiffany Hutchins at 963-6454 or by e-mail at tiffany.hutchins@charleston.af.mil.