Members of Team Seymour and invited guests will commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Sept. 15, 2017, which celebrates the victory over the German Luftwaffe during World War II.

The evening will include speeches from Col. Christopher Sage, 4th Fighter Wing commander, Dr. Roy Heidicker, 4th Fighter Wing Historian, and Maj. Christopher Rugg, Royal Air Force exchange officer.

The informal part of the evening will include the burning of seven donated pianos as well as the unveiling of the F-15E with the heritage paint job. Along with the F-15E, there will be a Spitfire, P-51, F-86 and F-4 on display. There will also be a 4-ship missing man flyover at sunset before the piano burn.

Each piano will be decorated by squadrons at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and judged by Col. Sage and Maj. Rugg.

Seven Americans flew for the RAF during the Battle of Britain. Three of the pilots were from the No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron, Vernon Keough, Andy Mamedoff and Eugene Tobin, who went on to become the founding fathers of the 4th FW.

The 75th Anniversary/ 70th Air Force Birthday Gala will celebrate the heritage, achievements and history of the U.S. Air Force and the 4th Fighter Wing. Along with items from the time capsule, there will also be five legacy aircraft on display. These displays include the F-15E with the new heritage paint, Spitfire, P-51, F-86, and F-4. Guests will enjoy live music from various groups to include the USO WWII era singers.

Dress Code

Military – Semi-Formal/ Mess Dress

Civilian – Semi-Formal

For ticket purchases, please contact your group POC. 

Ticket Prices:
E-1 - E-4: $20
E-5 - E-7: $30
E-8 and O-1-O-5: $40
E-9 and O-6+: $45
DVs/Dignitaries: $45
GS-09 and below: $35
GS-10 and above: $40
Veterans Groups: $30

Menu
Option 1: Chicken Coq Au Vin, wild rice & creamed butternut squash
Option 2: Beef tenderloin medallions, roasted potatoes & asparagus
Option 3: Vegetable stir fry & couscous

Col. Christopher Sage, 4th Fighter Wing commander, will unearth a time capsule from 1967. Contents include select items from 4th FW members from 50 years ago. 

The original ceremony for the creation of the time capsule was held Dec. 2, 1967 in front of the then Support Group headquarters. The presiding officer was Col. Paul C. Watson, 4th Fighter Wing commander in 1967. 

Other particpants of the original ceremony included, the Mayor of Goldsboro, Tom Robinson and Lawson Withers of Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo), and Lt. Gen. Joseph H. Moore, a former 4th FW commander.

An F-15E Strike Eagle with a heritage paint job will be unveiled during the Battle of Britain and on display during the 4th Fighter Wing 75th Anniversary Gala along with the other displays listed below.  

Members will also be able to see static displays of our legacy aircraft during the base tours at Heritage Park. 

The aircraft include: 

P-51 Mustang
F-86 Sabre
F-4 Phantom
A-10 Thunderbolt II
F-15E Strike Eagle

Unique tours will commence, Sept. 15 ,2017, to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the 4th Fighter Wing.

The tour will be displayed at four primary stops.

Celebrating our Legacy

The Legacy stop will be located at Heritage Park. At this location, static displays including the P-51 Mustang, F-86 Sabre, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and F-4 Phantom, will have a 4th Operation Support Squadron representative to talk about the capability of each aircraft.

The base theater will also be open to visitors and displaying a loop of the 4th Fighter Wing heritage video, which is approximately 10 minutes in length. 

Celebrating our Airmanship

The Airmanship stop will be located at Heritage Hall. This stop allows members to socialize. Food and drinks will also be available at this location. 

Celebrating our Support

The Support stop will be located at Debden Park. 

The following demonstrations will showcase the capabilities and support of the 4th Fighter Wing:

- 4th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department

- 4th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dogs

- 4th Logistics Readiness Squadron

- 4th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal

Celebrating our Operations

The Operations stop will be located at the 372nd Training Squadron. There will be an F-15E Strike Eagle static display and the following stations:

- 4th Operation Support Squadron Weather Flight

- 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

- Aircrew Flight Equipment

- 333rd Fighter Squadron

- 334th Fighter Squadron

- 335th Fighter Squadron

- 336th Fighter Squadron