ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  

The 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus Air Force Base celebrated the U.S. Air Force's 71st birthday, Sept. 18, 2018. The 97th Force Support Squadron hosted a cake cutting ceremony at the Hangar 97 Dining Facility to honor the formation of the service more than seven decades ago. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Paul Pohnert, the group superintendent of the 97th Mission Support Group and Airman 1st Class Tanner Rakoz, a food service specialist assigned to the 97th Force Support Squadron, cut the cake, according to military tradition. It is the custom to have the oldest and youngest Airmen cut the cake on the service’s birthday.