60 years to make anniversary cake cutting a reality

The Alamo Wing celebratory dinner comes to a close as Airman Crystal Canright, the most junior enlisted service member attending the dinner, joined Col. Craig Petersen, 433rd Mission Support Group commander and retired Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III, for the official cutting of the 433rd Airlift Wing 60th Anniversary cake. Gen. Sherrard was the official guest speaker at the dinner which took place Sept. 10, 2011, at the Gateway Club at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and Col. Petersen was the official host. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

433 AW Honor Guard make a tribute to 9/11 first responders during anniversary dinner

Two Airmen from the 433rd Security Forces Squadron dressed in full battle-rattle from the neck on down and two from the 433rd Civil Engineer Fire Protection Flight dressed in fire-fighter bunker gear, served as the honor guard and present the colors while Staff Sgt. Derrick Granados from the 433rd Medical Squadron sings the national anthems during the 433rd Airlift Wing 60th Anniversary Dinner held Sept. 10, 2011, at the Gateway Club at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The special attire was worn as a tribute to first responders who lost their lives as a result of the 9/11 attacks.(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Alamo Wing praised with city proclamation

Col. Craig Petersen, 433rd Mission Support Group commander, poses for a photo with Former San Antonio city councilman, Philip Cortez, who presented the Alamo Wing with a congratulatory proclamation by the Honorable Julian Castro, mayor of San Antonio, during the 433rd Airlift Wing 60th Anniversary Dinner, held Sept. 10, 2011, at the Gateway Club on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Part of the proclamation read, “The dedicated service of this Air Force Reserve Unit to providing operational requirements is to be commended. Your devotion to supporting the mission of the Air Force is worthy of recognition and praise.” (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

433 AW honor POW/MIA service members during anniversary dinner

Capt. Stephen Brint Carlton, 433rd Airlift Wing Honor Guard trumpeter, plays, "Amazing grace," while guests stand respectfully in silence during a POW/MIA table ceremony. The solemn ceremony for the and service members categorized as prisoners of war and missing in action was part of a series of activities conducted during the 433rd Airlift Wing 60th Anniversary Dinner held Sept. 10, 2011, at the Gateway Club on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

A table for reserved in remembrance

The soft glow of a lit candle illuminates a POW/MIA table setup with the service dress covers representing each of the five American military service branches. A solemn table ceremony for service members categorized as prisoners of war and missing in action was part of a series of activities conducted during the 433rd Airlift Wing 60th Anniversary Dinner held Sept. 10, 2011, at the Gateway Club on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

No lack of food choices at wing anniversary dinner

Airman 1st Class Katherine Menchaca from the 433rd Operational Support Squadron, prepares a personal salad during the 433rd Airlift Wing 60th Anniversary Dinner held Sept. 10, 2011, at the Gateway Club on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Gateway Club Executive Chef Lazaro Carrazco and his team of three cooks prepared a buffet-style meal for more than 475 guests in less than 24 hours. The meal included options such as glazed pork loin, chicken with a sage and white wine sauce, chocolate mousse, steamed vegetable medley and apple cobbler. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Former Chief of Air Force Reserve is guest speaker for Alamo Wing 60th annivesary dinner

Retired Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III, is all smiles after being presented the official military coin commemorating the 433rd Airlift Wing 60th Anniversary. Sherrard was the official guest speaker at the Alamo Wing's anniversary dinner held Sept. 10, 2011, at the Gateway Club at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The general served as commander of the 433rd Military Airlift Wing at Kelly AFB, Texas, from January 1988 to February 1990, and was the first Chief of Air Force Reserve to wear three stars.(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Brandeis Blue Aces steal the show at 433 AW anniversary dinner

Brandeis High School unarmed, all-female Air Force Junior ROTC drill team, the Blue Aces, treat guests to a precious military drill demonstration during the 433rd Airlift Wing 60th Anniversary Dinner held Sept. 10, 2011, at the Gateway Club on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Local San Antonio area group received a standing ovation. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Local AF JROTC drill team impresses guests at 433 AW anniversary dinner

With excitement and roaring cheers guests give a standing ovation for the Brandeis High School all-female Air Force Junior ROTC unarmed precision drill team, the Blue Aces, who treated quests to a sharp-stepping drill demonstration during the 433rd Airlift Wing 60th Anniversary Dinner held Sept. 10, 2011, at the Gateway Club on Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The local San Antonio area group said they were excited and proud to have been part of the Alamo Wing's historic celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez)

Alamo Wing hosts 60th anniversary dinner

Published Sept. 15, 2011
By Senior Airman Luis Loza Gutierrez
433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Lackland Air Force Base, Texas -- More than 460 guests attended the 433rd Airlift Wing 60th Anniversary Dinner Sept. 10, 2011, at the Gateway Club ballroom at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

"I felt the ambience of the dinner was very classy and dignified." said Staff Sgt. Derrick Granados from the 433rd Medical Squadron. "The meal was delicious, and everyone looked like they were really enjoying themselves. You could tell there was a lot of hard work put into this by a lot of people.

"This is my first wing anniversary dinner, and I didn't realize how important this event really is. But after listening and learning about all the great history the 433rd has been a part of. I'm very glad that I came, and I'm even more proud and honored to have sung the national anthem tonight."

The importance of the 433rd AW's history was further expressed with its close tie to the city of San Antonio. Former San Antonio city councilman, Philip Cortez, presented the Alamo Wing with a congratulatory proclamation by the Honorable Julian Castro, mayor of San Antonio, which read, "The dedicated service of this Air Force Reserve Unit to providing operational requirements is to be commended. Your devotion to supporting the mission of the Air Force is worthy of recognition and praise."

The anniversary dinner served as an opportunity to unite the past with the present. Former and current Alamo Wing Airmen attended including retired Brig. Gen. Carey Decker who introduced the dinner's guest speaker, retired Lt. Gen. James E. Sherrard III, who commanded the 433rd Military Airlift Wing at Kelly AFB, Texas, from January 1988 to February 1990. Sherrard was also the first Chief of the Air Force Reserve to wear three stars.

"That's the future of our Air Force ladies and gentlemen," mistress of ceremonies, Master Sgt. Judith Gutierrez, said, about the Aces, Brandeis High School all-female Air Force Junior ROTC drill team. Their precision routine generated a standing ovation.

Although the event focused on celebrating the Alamo Wing's 60 years of history, Airmen and guests took time to observe the 10th anniversary of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Two Airmen from the 433rd Security Forces Squadron dressed in full battle-rattle from the neck on down and two from the 433rd Civil Engineer Fire Protection Flight dressed in fire-fighter bunker gear, served as the honor guard and presented the colors with the special attire as a tribute to first responders who lost their lives as a result of the 9/11 attacks.

The celebration came to a close with dessert. Airman Crystal Canright, the most junior enlisted service member at the dinner, joined Col. Craig Petersen, 433rd Mission Support Group commander and Gen. Sherrard, to cut the 433rd AW 60th Anniversary cake.