Air Force ball tickets on sale Aug. 1

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Clark Staehle
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Get ready for Mildenhall's biggest bash of the year! RAF Mildenhall is set to host a ball to celebrate the Air Force's 60th year of existence and the 50th anniversary of the KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft Sept. 9. 

Tickets go on sale Aug. 1 and can be purchased through first sergeants, group points of contact and select locations still being determined. 

"This is the absolute premier event of the year," said Jan Saville, Air Force ball committee member. "It is truly a celebration of history and legacy and esprit de corps." 

"The 600-seat party will be the largest at Mildenhall in many years," she added. "A lot of planning has gone into this to ensure everyone who attends will have a great time." 

The event will feature such things as:

--  A five-star meal cooked by a French chef
--  Dancing
--  Valet parking
--  Complimentary child care for children 3 years and up
--  A video celebrating the heritage of the KC-135

In addition, the evening will also feature music from a live band, Chris Smith and the String of Pearls, Mrs. Saville said. 

Chris Smith, the band's leader, has toured with Frank Sinatra and performed with Sammy Davis Jr.; Judy Garland; Tom Jones and more. 

The band will set the tone for the evening by playing big-band music from the 1940s, and will play increasingly more modern music as the night goes on. 

The 100th Services Squadron offers free dance lessons to anyone who would like to learn, Mrs. Saville said. Anyone who is interested should go to the Bob Hope Community Center ball room Wednesdays at 8 p.m. 

Even though the event has so much to offer, it will be a formal event, said Capt. Michael Epper, 100th Air Refueling Wing and Air Force ball committee member. Dress code for the event will be mess dress uniform or semi-formal dress. 

Additionally, everyone on base has the opportunity to attend. 

This event is not like a dining in or a dining out in that anyone who wants to come is welcome, said Capt. Matthew Ghormley, 100th Operations Group and Air Force ball committee member. 

While many of the night's details have yet to be decided, anyone interested can expect them to be released in a future article in the Marauder. 

Anyone interested in volunteering for the event should attend a planning meeting Wednesdays at 8 a.m. 

Meetings are held at the Daily Grind, located inside the Bob Hope Community Center.
Volunteers will be needed to assist with ticket sales, event set up, tear down and more.