60th Anniversary: child care available

  • Published
  • By Sheila Rupp
  • Nucleus Staff
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  The New Mexico Air Force Bases 60th Anniversary Celebration is less than a month away and the planning committee is putting the final touches into place. Sept. 14 will be a day to remember at the Sandia Resort, which will be the venue for "Heritage to Horizons," the theme for the Air Force's 60th anniversary.

Three New Mexico bases will come together Sept. 14 to celebrate in the rich history of the Air Force, of both the nation and the state of New Mexico. Festivities will begin at the Sandia Golf Club at 8 a.m. for those who have already signed up to play golf. Indoor and outdoor exhibits will be open at the resort from noon-5 p.m. Hands-on exhibits will showcase Air Force capabilities and those of DOD contractors, as well as historical exhibits.

Various units from across the state will showcase their aircraft with a flyover including an F-117, an F-4, an F-16, a CV-22 and Air Force helicopters. Some airframes will also be on hand for a static display outside of the resort.

Shuttle buses will be available for transportation to and from the resort for viewing of the exhibits. Look for information in upcoming issues of "The Nucleus" for pick-up/drop-off locations and schedules.

The evening's events will culminate with a by-invitation only dinner complete with entertainment by the Band of the West, Air Force Drill Team and Lee Greenwood, in addition to the guest speaker for the evening, retired Gen. Ronald Fogleman, former Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

If you have received a ticket to the dinner but are unable to attend, do not pass your ticket on to someone else, said Col. Mohsen Parhizkar, 377th Air Base Wing vice commander and 60th Anniversary Celebration chairman. Tickets are by-invitation only and because there are many people on the waiting list, if you are not able to attend notify your commander immediately so that the ticket may be reassigned. The numbers on the tickets will be matched against the invitees names at the door.

The committee reserved 20 percent of tickets for the ball for members of Team Kirtland's E-1s to E-6s. The Kirtland Chiefs' Group gave unit commanders and first sergeants unit tickets based on the proportion of E-1 to E-6 members in each unit. Unit commanders and first sergeants are responsible for distributing those tickets.

The Gibson Child Development Center and Youth Center will have extended hours to coincide with the dinner Sept. 14.

The Gibson CDC has 16 slots available for children 6 weeks-1 year and 53 slots for children ages 1-5. The Youth Center has 48 available spaces for kindergarten-aged children and older.

Both facilities will be open 5:30 p.m.-midnight. The cost is $25 for each child. The cost for children 1 year old and older includes a light meal consisting of a sandwich, fruit and milk, and a late snack. Parents of infants 6 weeks-1 year need to bring ready-mixed formula, and/or baby food, and diapers for their children.

Reservations are required no later than Sept. 7 by 5:30 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling the Gibson CDC at 846-1103 or the Youth Center at 853-5437. Visa or MasterCard credit card payments can be accepted via phone, or payment of correct cash, check or credit card can be made at drop off.

Parents of children not enrolled at the Kirtland AFB CDCs are required to bring a copy of Air Force Form 1181 and a copy of shot records.

Plan ahead to be a part of the New Mexico Air Force Bases 60th Anniversary Celebration -- it's definitely something you won't want to miss out on.