Tinker, community celebrate Air Force's 68th birthday

Published Sept. 18, 2015
By Kimberly Woodruff
Staff Writer

NORMAN, Okla. -- More than 600 Tinker and community members celebrated the Air Force's 68th birthday at the annual Air Force Ball held Sept. 12, 2015, at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Norman, Oklahoma.

Brig. Gen. Allen Jamerson, former 72nd Air Base Wing commander, was the guest speaker. The general is currently the director of Security Forces, deputy chief of staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection at Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.

Jamerson said he was happy to accept the invitation to speak at the ball as this is home for him. He and his wife, Charmaine, have two children who graduated from the University of Oklahoma and they still keep a home here.

"This assignment was heartfelt and meaningful for me," Jamerson said. "So with respect I would like to modify the theme for tonight's event to "Wings of Tomorrow ... Flying into the Future, and Why I Love Tinker."

The general, who came to the air base wing as a colonel in 2008, talked about the history of Maj. Gen. Clarence Tinker, Rosie the Riveter, and Maj. Charles Hall. He described how they represented bold leadership and service before self, and also spoke of those who put their lives on the line when duty calls. Jamerson also gave some examples of extraordinary people who are stationed at Tinker now.

Staff Sgt. Trevor Brewer, 72nd Security Forces Squadron, was on a bus that was attacked by an armed gunman on March 2, 2011, at the Frankfurt Airport in Germany. The assailant killed the bus driver, then started shooting as he made his way down the aisle. With the gun pointed at Brewer's face, the attacker pulled the trigger but nothing happened. After a second attempt failed, the assailant fled from the bus. Brewer chased him into the airport and held him until the police arrived.

"It showed that we don't back down from terrorism, and Air Force runs to the fight," Jamerson said.

He also talked about Capt. Alan Reynolds, of the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group, who was injured on June 1, 2012, during a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and insurgent-forces attack at Forward Operating Base Salerno in Afghanistan. The captain was walking near the camp's dining hall when a truck bomb exploded about 100 yards behind him, slamming him to the ground. After he recovered from a daze, he and another soldier immediately helped six civilians, including two who were injured, reach safety in a bunker. Reynolds charged his 9mm pistol and ordered the soldier, armed with an M4 rifle, to help protect the civilians as a firefight ensued 200 yards away. For his efforts, Reynolds was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

"I never worked with either of these Airmen, but I would be proud to serve with them," Jamerson said. "These Airmen went above and beyond for each other and for our nation."

Going "above and beyond" is something the general also saw in the community surrounding Tinker.

"Nothing prepared Charmaine and I for what we found," he said. "Your [community] patriotism is off the charts, and you're the friendliest, most welcoming neighbors anyone can imagine."

The general noted the tremendous support the community gives to Tinker, highlighting a program where community leaders can adopt Airmen to show them Oklahoma hospitality.

"There is a general care and concern for the people who live, work and serve here at Tinker," he said.

Col. Stephanie Wilson, 72nd Air Base Wing commander, also expressed her appreciation for Tinker's Airmen.

"We remain the greatest Air Force because of you," she said. "You give the Air Force the ability to project global military power on a scale our adversaries simply cannot match. You make the impossible possible and remain ready to lead us through the challenges of tomorrow and into the future. ... We will continue to be successful at delivering air power because as our chief of staff says, 'without it, you lose.'"