Tinker AFB 75th Anniversary

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AIR FORCE HISTORY: In the beginning, with B.D. Foulois 20 hours ago
TINKER HISTORY: Piper L-4 Cub 20 hours ago
75th Anniversary coin, logo represent history 22 hours ago
AIR FORCE HISTORY: Enlisted Medal of Honor Recipient Henry E. ‘Red’ Erwin 8 days ago
TINKER HISTORY: J35 Allison turbojet engine 8 days ago
AIR FORCE HISTORY: ‘Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio and the 7th AAF 19 days ago
TINKER HISTORY: Douglas C-54 Skymaster 19 days ago
TINKER HISTORY: Boeing B-17 “Flying Fortress” 26 days ago
AIR FORCE HISTORY: The Rosies 26 days ago
TINKER HISTORY: Douglas IM-99 BOMARC missile 30 days ago
AIR FORCE HISTORY: Mustache March from days of Olds 33 days ago
TINKER HISTORY: O-series engines 37 days ago
Hundreds run in Tinker 75th Anniversary Half Marathon 40 days ago
TINKER HISTORY: Douglas C-47 Skytrain 47 days ago
AIR FORCE HISTORY: Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. 47 days ago
TINKER HISTORY: Allison J33 engine, unprecedented advancement 54 days ago
AIR FORCE HISTORY: The Black Swallow of Death and the world’s first black fighter pilot 54 days ago
AIR FORCE HISTORY: CMSAF #4 Thomas N. Barnes 57 days ago
TINKER HISTORY: AT-6 Texan 57 days ago
Tinker kicks off diamond anniversary with luncheon 68 days ago
Tinker History: P-51 Mustang 68 days ago
STEM like a girl 68 days ago
AIR FORCE HISTORY: Hap Arnold - Architect of America’s Air Force 75 days ago
TINKER HISTORY: Drones in the ’40s 75 days ago
COMMENTARY: Snuffy Smith, first enlisted Airman to receive Medal of Honor 79 days ago
TINKER HISTORY: Tinker’s tie to the “Superfortress” 79 days ago
TINKER HISTORY: The Genesis of Tinker AFB 84 days ago
TINKER HISTORY: Tinker modifies armament on B-24 84 days ago
Tinker History: The F-4 Phantom 93 days ago
Tinker History: BT-13 Valiant is first aircraft modified at air depot 93 days ago

75th Anniversary events

Tinker Community Dining Out
This formal gala features Air Force Dining Out traditions as business leaders mingle with America’s heroes. It will be held on April 7, 2017.
Live entertainment, a “grog bowl,” limerick salutes, an influential military speaker and a guest chef will make it an evening to remember. For more than 40 years, your Chamber has sponsored this annual black-tie dinner to highlight the partnership between Tinker Air Force Base and our community.
Click here for more details.
Midwest City/Tinker AFB Gala
In 2017, the City of Midwest City and Tinker Air Force Base will celebrate their 75th anniversaries. You will not want to miss being a part of this year of celebrations!
For more information on Midwest City's 2017 celebrations, click here.
Star Spangled Salute Air Show

The Thunderbirds are coming!
Be one of 100,000 people to attend the Star Spangled Salute air show on May 20-21.
Click here for more details.
Air Force Ball
The annual Air Force Ball will be held on Sept. 16, 2017.
Watch for more details.

History in photos

Lt. Foulois and Phil Parmalee in Collier Wright Ft. Sam Houston, 1910. (Courtesy photo)

Between January 1947 and June 1953, 241 L-4s were processed through the maintenance lines in Oklahoma City at Tinker. (Photo courtesy of Tinker History Office)

Aerial photo of a 1939 Piper J-3 'Cub,' N26057, piloted by Jeremy 'Silas' LeBons and Peter "Kos' Kosogorin, over Virgina waters near Hummell Field, Va., April 7, 2013. This aircraft, and many others like it, was pressed in to service with the military as an L-4 'Grasshopper' during World War II. Courtesy photo/Greg L. Davis, Aviation Photojournalist.

C-54 'Spirit of Freedom' in-flight during a training mission near Warsaw, Indiana in August 2014. The aircraft is owned and operated by the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation which keeps the aircraft flying and available to the public through important educational outreach and air show appearances. Photo courtesy Greg Morehead.

Major League baseball players Ted Williams, who fought as a Marine combat pilot in World War II and Korea, and Joe DiMaggio, who served as a supply sergeant in the 7th Army Air Force team. (Courtesy photo)

C-54 line in Bldg. 3001 at Tinker in the mid-1940s. (Photo courtesy of Tinker History Office)

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 25: Staff Sergeant Joe DiMaggio, back from the pacific where he served with the 7th Air Force, checks in at the AAF Don Ce-Sar Hospital near St. Petersberg, Fla., for stomach disorder treatment. (Photo by NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)

Joe DiMaggio visiting troops at Camp Stanley, South Korea, in 1975. (Courtesy photo)

An all-woman engine crew at Tinker Field during World War II Era. Women comprised 65 percent of the aircraft industry by 1943. (Photo courtesy of Tinker History Office)

Tinker’s first all-female engine crew on a B-25 engine in 1943. (Photo courtesy of Tinker History Office)

Workers on a B-17 modification, circa 1942. (Photo courtesy of Tinker History Office)

A plaque gifted to him at his retirement ceremony in 1988, and his most valued possession, reads, “The operational success of the C/KC-135 weapon system is your legacy.” (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Russell Lathrop Jr., an aircraft electrician with the 564th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, has followed in his father’s footsteps, first joining the Navy and then a civil service career as an aircraft electrician on KC-135s. Russell Lathrop Sr. served a 42-year civil service career at Tinker, with 30 of those working primarily with the KC-135. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

The Oklahoma City Air Depot repaired and calibrated the then top-secret Norden MK15 bombsight on the B-17 “Flying Fortress” during the war years. (Courtesy photo by Luis Drummond)

Russell Lathrop, a 90-year old Navy veteran, spent his 42-year career as a Tinker civil service member working his way from a journeyman aircraft electrician to KC-135 logistics and program management. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

The B-47 Stratojet was a popular static display during Tinker's Open House on May 18, 1962.

Hundreds of people flocked to Tinker Air Force Base for the Open House on Aug. 8, 1976.

Crowds gather at Tinker Air Force Base's Open House in 1955.

Tinker Air Force Base Open House, 1955

Clifton Nance, 72nd Civil Engineer incident operations chief, writes notes on a base map during the War Wagon 17-01 natural disaster preparedness exercise and tornado drill Feb. 27, 2017, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Due to the frequent occurance of tornados and damaging weather in the region, Tinker AFB regularly holds exercises to ensure appropriate responses by the population and emergency crews. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

Scott Lindsey, right, 72nd Air Base Wing Inspector General office exercsie controller, monitors the emergency response times for fire and police with Michael Tuley, 72nd Civil Engineer Fire Department training officer, as the claxon sounds during the War Wagon 17-01 natural disaster preparedness exercise and tornado drill Feb. 27, 2017, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Due to the frequent occurance of tornados and damaging weather in the region, Tinker AFB regularly holds exercises to ensure appropriate responses by the population and emergency crews. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

Clifton Nance, 72nd Civil Engineer incident operations chief, writes notes on a base map while Terry Ford, 72nd CE incident commander, gives information and updates during the War Wagon 17-01 natural disaster preparedness exercise and tornado drill Feb. 27, 2017, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Due to the frequent occurance of tornados and damaging weather in the region, Tinker AFB regularly holds exercises to ensure appropriate responses by the population and emergency crews. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

Commander Robin Olds, a United States Air Force wing commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing in the Vietnam War. (Air Force photo)

Terry Ford, 72nd Civil Engineer incident commander, points out important information on a base map to emergency responders gathered around him during the War Wagon 17-01 natural disaster preparedness exercise and tornado drill Feb. 27, 2017, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Due to the frequent occurance of tornados and damaging weather in the region, Tinker AFB regularly holds exercises to ensure appropriate responses by the population and emergency crews. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

Participants in Tinker’s 75th Anniversary Half Marathon and 5K stand at attention during the playing of the National Anthem before the start of the race. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

72nd Air Base Wing Commander Col. Stephanie Wilson gave opening remarks and words of encouragement before the start of Tinker’s 75th Anniversary Half Marathon and 5K. This event was one of several events planned to celebrate the monumental year. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Approximately 200 5K participants and 90 half marathoners braved the chilly temps the morning of Feb. 25 to run in Tinker’s 75th Anniversary Half Marathon and 5K. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

People of all ages participated in Tinker’s 75th Anniversary Half Marathon and 5K Feb. 25. The Calvert family, all wearing their red event T-shirts, ran the 5K together. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Jason Butler, a tool maker with the 553rd Commodities Maintenance Group, was the first place finisher in the 75th Anniversary Half Marathon, with a final time of 1:15:06. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Single Vultee USAF L-5 shown in flight. This aircraft is powered by an O-series engine. (Photo courtesy of the Tinker History Office)

Spooky, a specially outfitted U.S. Air Force AC-47 aircraft designed to provide support to soldiers on the ground. (Air Force photo)

A Lycoming O-360 engine mounted on a Piper Cherokee shows the important characteristics of O-series engines: horizontally opposed cylinders on either side of the crank-shaft which turns the propeller (lower front). Tinker maintained various engines of this type throughout the years as they were common for early Liasion, trainer and even drone aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

C-47A-60-DL Skytrain, serial # 43-30665, N47E, in polished aluminum and white top seen in the early morning fog at Sun-N-Fun 2014. This aricraft was built by the Douglas Aircraft Company in 1943 and served with the U.S. Army until the 1950s. Then it was sent to the Oklahoma National Guard. Later it was returned to the Army, which used it as a test platform until 1966. Photo courtesy Greg L. Davis.

C-47 line in OKC Douglas Plant, Bldg. 3001 in 1943. (Photo courtesy of Tinker History Office)

Benjamin O. Davis, an aviation pioneer and one of the most famous Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. (Air Force photo)

J33 engine mechanics at Tinker in 1949. (Photo courtesy of the Tinker History Office)

America’s first black aviator, Eugene Jacques Bullard during World War I. (Photo courtesy of the Tinker History Office)

Mike Halem is shown in his T-6 Texan which wears U.S. Air Force training markings in Easton, Md., Sept. 29, 2013. (Photo by Greg L. Davis)

Military members of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex lower the American flag from the base flag pole during an official retreat ceremony Jan. 24, 2017, Tinker Air Force Base Oklahoma. OC-ALC conducted the retreat ceremony as part of the official Tinker AFB 75th Anniversary events. Tinker hosts the Air Force Sustainment Center and falls under the Air Force Materiel Command. The AFMC badge is displayed on the wall. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

Rose Meyer, left, 72nd Force Support Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base Arts and Craft Center director, shows Kelly Hyatt, a Voluntary Protection Program inspector, data sheets for chemicals used within the facility during an inspection to ensure the workplace meets Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards Feb. 8, 2017, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. VPP inspections and analysis are on-going throughout the 72nd Air Base Wing this week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)

AT-6 engine steam cleaning at Tinker. (Photo courtesy of Tinker History Office)

Chief Master Sgt. Thomas N. Barnes visits Turkey in 1976 with Chief Master Sgt. J.M. Huckless. (Photo courtesy of the Tinker History Office)

Mentor Kerri Yap helps her team construct a tower made of straws as part of team building exercises at the first STEM Girls Camp, “STEM Like a Girl”. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Students and mentors work together in a team building activity to build a straw tower to see how much weight it can support as part of STEM Girls Camp, “STEM Like a Girl” activities. Forty middle school girls attended the camp held on base. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Lt. Col. Kristen Thompson, Commander, 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron, signs an autograph for a student attending Tinker’s first ever STEM Girls Camp, “STEM Like a Girl” Jan. 28. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Lt. Col. Kristen Thompson, Commander, 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron, explains some of the gauges on the flight deck of an E-3 Sentry aircraft to two girls attending the first STEM Girls Camp, “STEM Like a Girl” held at Tinker, Jan. 28. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Forty 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, along with their mentors pose for a group photo following their tour of an E-3 Sentry aircraft. The students attended the first STEM Girls Camp, “STEM Like a Girl” held at the base Jan. 28. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Phil Tinker, grandson of Maj. Gen. Clarence Tinker, Lt. Gen. Lee K. Levy II, commander of the Air Force Sustainment Center, and Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear, Principal Chief of the Osage Nation enjoy the festivities of Tinker’s 75th Anniversary kickoff luncheon Jan. 30 at the Tinker Club. This was the first of several events planned for the diamond year which will also include a marathon in February, the Star Spangled Salute in May, and the Air Force Ball in September. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Chappie James became the first African-American general in the United States Air Force and was later the first African-American four-star general in any American military service branch. (Courtesy photo)

Colonel Stephanie Wilson, Commander, 72nd Air Base Wing, welcomes forty 6th, 7th and 8th grade students attending the first STEM Girls Camp, “STEM Like a Girl” held at Tinker. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Two P-51 Mustangs shimmer against the parking ramp over Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ while practicing formation flying during a USAF Heritage Conference 2002 training flight. The USAF Heritage conference brings together civilian Heritage pilots and USAF Demonstration Team pilots to discuss safety and practice formation flying in a non-airshow environment. The USAF heritage aircraft and modern day fighters routinely team together to perform at airshows in the "Heritage Flight" formation but must be certified to fly together before the airshow season begins each year. USAF Photo by SSgt. Greg L. Davis.