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Air Force Ball celebrates decades of Las Vegas ties

Posted at 10:00 PM, Sep 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-22 17:40:41-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Air Force has had a long history here in Las Vegas, and on Saturday, service members and guests came together to celebrate, just as the branch was celebrating its 72nd birthday.

About a thousand Air Force service members and guests came to South Point for the annual Air Force Ball. Attendees were treated to models of planes and drones, all part of the significance of Las Vegas in its history.

“Las Vegas is a military town. What they do for out veterans, our spouses, how they help us support the mission is fantastic,” Brigadier General Robert Novotny said.

That’s how the Air Force has seen Las Vegas for several decades and celebrating its ties at the annual Air Force Ball.

“If you look around, our heritage, our history, traditions and our culture is just as strong as any other sister services,” Senior Master Sergeant Rosa Lovegreen said.

Service members from Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases and their guests dressed their best as they admired model planes and drones, and even took selfies with Carrot Top.

One captain says it’s a great way to connect with the public.

“I think there’s a lot to be said for just the public realizing that we’re people too. We get to work in a special place every day, but we’re people too every day. We just wear a uniform,” Captain Kyle Briney, who organized the ball, said.

The local history with the Air Force goes back to the creation of Nellis Air Force base in 1941. With the city’s current growth, the Air Force feels it’s in the right place.

“The things that we do which are technologically advanced and their leading the forefront, is now matched up with the city that’s doing the same exact thing,” Brig. Gen. Novotny said.

That’s coupled with the support of locals, which has impressed air force leadership.

The Air Force wants to invite the public to its next event, an air show called Aviation Nation, happening on November 16 and 17.