Cal State San Bernardino’s Veterans Success Center and CSUSB Air Force ROTC Detachment 002 on Sept. 29 honored the heritage of the men and women who served, or currently serve, in that branch of the military with a celebration of the USAF’s 70th birthday.

Held partly in the Recital Hall of the university’s Performing Arts Building, the celebration featured retired Chief Master Sgt. Hugh Wagner who talked about his 40 years of service. The festivities then moved outside to the university’s front lawn for cutting of birthday cake and a flyover from pilot Randy Ball in a T-34 Beechcraft.

The event marks the sixth time since 2012 that the CSUSB Veterans Success Center hosted a celebration for the U.S. Air Force.

William Lewis, student assistant for the Veterans Success Center, said that an Air Force birthday celebration is essential for Cal State San Bernardino.

“It’s important to have a celebration for the Air Force here at Cal State San Bernardino specifically because, one, we host a detachment that is full of bright young minds that are coming in and are hoping to join the United States Air Force, and it’s also good for community engagement so that way the average person gets to see what the Air Force is all about and some of their history,” said Lewis.

The U.S. Air Force was established on Sept. 18, 1947, with the implementation of the National Security Act, which recognized the U.S. Air Force as a separate military service equal to the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy.

Visit the CSUSB Veterans Success Center website or follow it on Facebook (search @VSC.CSUSB) to learn more about its programs and events.

For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.