KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 81st Training Wing kicked off its 75th year anniversary during the 81st Training Group’s quarterly drill down competition at the Levitow Training Facility on Feb. 26.
The drill down marked the first event in a yearlong celebration as Keesler commemorates 75 years of military training and community involvement, dating back to 1941 and the Army Air Corps.
“For three quarters of a century this great installation has enjoyed a phenomenal relationship with our local community,” said Col. Michele Edmondson, 81st TRW commander. “These amazing partnerships have truly weathered the most difficult times and this great base is what it is today because of the great community that supports us and this year recognizes 75 years of that partnership.”
The event marked this year’s first drill down competition, as well as a performance by the Air Force Honor Guard and the unveiling of the 75th year anniversary logo.
“What better way than a drill down is there to represent our 75th anniversary with the beginning of our next generation,” said Senior Master Sergeant Zackery Turbyfill, 81st TRG military training superintendent. “Our Air Force heritage, customs and courtesies are all engrained in us and it makes sense for it [the yearlong celebration] to start in the training group simply because this is where we are beginning the Airmen’s heritage to come.”
The drill down, a morale-building competition between the students from four of the training group’s squadrons, is a quarterly event that some students may only experience once during their time here at Keesler.
“We’ve been here for about 6 weeks,” said Airman Basic Cesar Tejede, 335th Training Squadron student. “Even though we were not out there performing it was very exciting to be a part of this event.”
Tejede was one of two Airmen who helped reveal the 75th year anniversary logo to the wing and community for the first time.
“It’s excited to be a part of that, it’s a big deal for the community and the base,” said Turbyfill.
As the competition was brought to completion and the logo unveiled, the winners for the drill down were announced, with the 334th TRS brought home 1st place for the overall event.
Keesler plans to celebrate its anniversary throughout the year. For more news on current and upcoming events, visit www.keesler.af.mil.