U.S. Air Force Col. Douglas Dudley, commander of 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group, right, and Airman Kemar A. Graham, an armament journeyman of 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, left, prepare to slice a commemorative cake during the U.S. Air Force’s 65th birthday at the Riptide Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 18, 2012. Both Dudley and Kemar used the sword to cut the cake as part of Air Force tradition. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Airman First Class Nigel Sandridge)
A cake commemorating the U.S. Air Forces' 65th birthday sits on display at the Riptide Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 18, 2012.The cake was designed specifically to symbolize the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Airman First Class Nigel Sandridge)
U.S. Air Force Col. Douglas Dudley, commander of 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group, right, and Airman Kemar A. Graham, an armament journeyman of 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, left, display the saber used to cut a ceremonial cake during the U.S. Air Force’s 65th birthday celebration at the Riptide Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 18, 2012. As part of Air Force tradition, the most senior- and junior-ranking active-duty Airmen in attendance are selected to slice the cake. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Airman First Class Nigel Sandridge)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Stacy Garner, a unit program manager of 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron, stands behind a commemorative cake during the U.S. Air Force’s 65th birthday celebration at the Riptide Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 18, 2012. Garner was tasked with creating a cake design symbolizing the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Airman First Class Nigel Sandridge)
U.S. Air Force Col. Douglas Dudley, commander of 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group, left, and Airman Kemar A. Graham, an armament journeyman of 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, right, eat cake during the U.S. Air Force’s 65th birthday celebration at the Riptide Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Sept. 18, 2012. The cake was available for anyone to sample at the Riptide. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Airman First Class Nigel Sandridge)
9/20/2012 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Dozens of Hurlburt Airmen gathered at the Riptide Dining Facility Sept. 18 to mark the Air Force's 65th birthday.
The gathering marked the creation of the Air Force as its own independent branch within the U.S. military Sept.18, 1947.
In keeping with Air Force tradition, the most senior- and junior-ranking active-duty Airmen in attendance are selected to cut a ceremonial birthday cake.
Col. Douglas Dudley, commander of 1st Special Operations Mission Support Group, and Airman Kemar A. Graham, an armament journeyman of 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron, used a decorative saber to slice the cake created by Tech. Sgt. Stacy Garner, a unit program manager of 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron.
