Air Force song

U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas Kunkel, 23d Wing commander, left, Capt. Christy Wise, 71st Rescue Squadron HC-130 pilot, and 1Lt. Timothy Wiser, HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot, sing the Air Force song during the Air Force Ball Sept. 19, 2015, in Valdosta, Ga. Approximately 400 Airmen, family and friends congregated to celebrate 68 years of Air Force heritage. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ceaira Tinsley/Released)

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Cake

U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Kim Bowen, 23d Wing, and Airman Kristin Terry, 23d Medical Operations Squadron mental health technician, cut the cake at the Air Force Ball Sept. 19, 2015, in Valdosta, Ga. It is a long standing tradition for the oldest and youngest active duty Airmen to cut the first slice of cake. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ceaira Tinsley/Released)

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Celebrating heritage

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jamie Zimmer, 347th Operations Support Squadron, sings the national anthem during the Air Force Ball Sept. 19, 2015, in Valdosta, Ga. Approximately 400 members of Team Moody, visitors, family and friends gathered to celebrate the Air Force's 68th birthday as a separate service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ceaira Tinsley/Released)

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Donation

U.S. Air Force Capt. Christy Wise, 71st Rescue Squadron HC-130 pilot, and base leadership pose for a photo at the Air Force Ball Sept. 19, 2015, in Valdosta, Ga. The Heritage Committee donated to Wise’s “One Leg Up on Life foundation as a token of their appreciation for Wise being the ball’s guest speaker. After losing her leg in a boating accident, Wise created the foundation to provide prosthetic legs to children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ceaira Tinsley/Released)

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Moment of silence

U.S. Air Force Capt. Christy Wise, 71st Rescue Squadron HC-130 pilot, bows her head in prayer during the Air Force Ball Sept. 19, 2015, in Valdosta, Ga. Wise addressed the crowd about the events that lead up to her boating accident and the road she is taking to get back in the cockpit. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ceaira Tinsley/Released)

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Toast

U.S Air Force Col. Mark Barrera, 23d Wing vice commander, raises his glass during a toast at the Air Force Ball Sept. 19, 2015, in Valdosta, Ga. Guests in attendance toasted to the approximately 83,000 prisoners of war and missing in action, past and present, who have yet to return home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ceaira Tinsley/Released)

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Video

Airmen and guests watch a video during the Air Force Ball Sept. 19, 2015, in Valdosta, Ga. The video highlighted 93d Air Ground Operations Wing and Flying Tigers Airmen all over the globe ensuring the mission gets done. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ceaira Tinsley/Released)

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Wise speech

U.S. Air Force Capt. Christy Wise, 71st Rescue Squadron HC-130 pilot, addresses the crowd during the Air Force Ball Sept. 19, 2015, in Valdosta, Ga. Wise spoke about the events that led up to her boating accident, how she persevered after becoming an amputee and offered words of motivation to those in attendance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ceaira Tinsley/Released)

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AF Ball celebrates 68 years of heritage

Published Sept. 21, 2015

Air Force song

Cake

Celebrating heritage

Donation

Moment of silence

Toast

Video

Wise speech