Team BLAZE says goodbye to summer at End of Summer Bash

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Beaux Hebert
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

The Columbus Air Force Base community met at Freedom Park to celebrate the End of Summer Bash Aug. 4.

As summer nears the end and children start back to school, this was an opportunity for Airmen and their families to come together, have fun and enjoy each other’s company.

The celebration started with Col. William Denham, 14th Flying Training Wing Vice Commander, welcoming everyone to the event. He recognized all the volunteers that helped put everything together.

Shortly after, Lt. Col. Charles Gilliam, 48th Flying Training Squadron Commander, and retired Col. Bob Jessup, former Deputy of Maintenance at Columbus AFB, toasted to the 48th FTS’s 100th anniversary.

“Let’s take a moment to think about what 100 years really means,” Jessup said. “The 48th [Squadron] has been associated with flying for 100 years. But we all know the four and the eight don’t make the squadron, what makes the squadron is the people who have served in that squadron.”

Airmen and their families enjoyed many different booths and stations to beat the heat including bouncy house water slides and  jump houses provided by Outdoor Recreation, free snacks and water provided by the Red Cross, live music, a dunking booth, the fire department’s house fire simulator, and a few fundraising booths.

“The kids are having fun and everyone is relaxing and having a great time,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Bradley Kimble, 14th FTW Deputy Wing Chaplain.

The Air Force Birthday Ball committee also worked a pie-in-the-face competition leading up to the event, in order to help offset the cost of tickets for the ball. After the votes were counted, Chief Master Sgt. Brad Reilly, 14th Operations Group Superintendent, and Chief Master Sgt. Tracy Tolliver, 14th Medical Group Superintendent, both received a pie to the face.

“I think it’s been a great event thus far,” said Staff Sgt. Whitney Felder, 37th and 41st Flying Training Squadrons NCO in Charge of Squadron Aviation Resource Management, and a main organizer of the event. “We’ve had a good turn out and I have a good feeling next year will be even better.”