TACAMO celebrates Navy’s 234th Birthday

Published Oct. 23, 2009
By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jessica R. Vargas
Strategic Communications Wing ONE Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Strategic Communications Wing ONE at Tinker Air Force Base, the Oklahoma City Navy League, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and Oklahoma civic and business leaders came together Oct. 10 to celebrate the Navy's 234th birthday.

The Oklahoma Navy Birthday Ball, held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, is the largest ball in the continental United States.

"Welcome to the largest, and without question, the finest Navy Ball in the country," said Capt. Dwight Shepherd, SCW-1 commander, during his remarks at the Ball. "What is unique about this Navy Ball is that we don't just celebrate it with Sailors, but we celebrate it with the Air Force, Marines and our Oklahoma community. I look around this room and I am overwhelmed with pride. I am proud of my service, I'm proud of my Sailors, and I am proud to be part of the Oklahoma community."

The guest speaker for the evening was B.J. Penn, former assistant secretary of the Navy (Installations and Environment). Mr. Penn began his career as a Naval Aviator during which he accumulated over 6,500 flight hours in 16 different types of aircraft.

"On Oct. 13, 1775, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and voted to outfit two sailing vessels to intercept British transports carrying guns and stores for the British army," said Mr. Penn. "This date is on the birth certificate of the United States Navy. I find the events of this time to be fascinating. Today the U.S. Navy is the greatest naval force in the world." Mr. Penn reflected on how the Navy has changed through out the years and how TACAMO's mission has also adapted to meet the needs of the Navy.

"The defining characteristic of our Navy for the past 234 years has been adaptability and throughout the years our Navy has progressed from sail to steam, steam to nuclear, cannon balls to cruise missiles, battleships to carriers, signal flags to information technology and from the super constellations to the formidable E-6 Mercury," said Mr. Penn. "In so doing we have extended the reach and influence of the Navy from the high seas to the far corners of the earth. SCW-1 and the Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadrons are major players in supporting the defense of our nation by providing our president and the secretary of Defense instant and direct command and control capabilities of our ballistic missile submarines, intercontinental missiles, and strategic bombers.

"Earlier I mentioned adaptability and willingness to incorporate change. TACAMO's adaptability to providing communications to convoys on the ground in Iraq certainly saved lives. During this time, TACAMO performed superbly, flying six days a week completing 714 sorties, 8,200 airborne hours, 573 station hours over Iraq and 19,655 tactical support calls. TACAMO also won the Omaha Trophy for the category of Strategic aircraft operations. You were No. 1 of 13 competitors."

Mr. Penn went on to thank the families and the local community for their support.

"You do not become No. 1 without family support," he said. "Being in the Navy is a team effort and SCW-1 has one great team with its superb squadrons and fantastic support from the local community."

Some highlights of the evening included a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action ceremony, the recognition of Navy moms and a cake-cutting ceremony. Keeping with tradition, the birthday cake was cut by the longest and shortest serving Sailors.

"Throughout the 234 years, the Navy has grown; not only in numbers, but in stature as the most respected and feared fighting force worldwide," said Captain Shepherd, in a Navy Birthday Ball message. "Tonight we are mindful of the millions of Sailors since 1775 that have raised their right hand to serve. We celebrate the camaraderie, rich naval history, and true meaning of the word 'shipmate.'"

In honor of the Navy's birthday Gov. Brad Henry declared in a proclamation the month of October as United States Navy month in Oklahoma.

Navy ball