Former 53rd Wing commander, Brig. Gen. (ret) Douglas Richardson, addresses the crowd at the wing’s 70th birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Current commander, Col. Michael Gantt (middle) and another former commander, Col. (ret) Bill Coutts are also pictured. The wing hosted a ceremony and cookout and a mini-airshow featuring six of the aircraft types that are flown by the wing. The wing was activated Jan. 15, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) The 53rd Wing hosted a mini-airshow as part of their 70th birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Six different aircraft types representing just a few of the airframes the 53rd Wing use to conduct their mission of operational testing and evaluation were on display. The wing was activated Jan. 15, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) A row of 53rd Wing lieutenant colonels listen to guest speaker Brig. Gen. (ret) Douglas Richardson at the wing’s 70th birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The wing hosted a ceremony and cookout and a mini-airshow featuring six of the aircraft types that are flown by the wing. The wing was activated Jan. 15, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) The F-16 flag ship and a QF-4 were just some of the aircraft on display during the 53rd Wing’s 70th birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Six different aircraft types representing just a few of the airframes the 53rd Wing use to conduct their mission of operational testing and evaluation were on display. The wing was activated Jan. 15, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) 53rd Wing members salute during the National Anthem during the wing’s 70th birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The hosted a ceremony and cookout and a mini-airshow featuring six of the aircraft types that are flown by the wing. The wing was activated Jan. 15, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) A BQM-167 subscale drone from the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, stands out in front of the hangar during the 70th birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Six different aircraft types representing just a few of the airframes the 53rd Wing use to conduct their mission of operational testing and evaluation were on display. The wing was activated Jan. 15, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) Two F-15s guard the hangar during the 70th birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Six different aircraft types representing just a few of the airframes the 53rd Wing use to conduct their mission of operational testing and evaluation were on display. The wing was activated Jan. 15, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) Brig. Gen. (ret) Douglas Richardson, presents Art Dees, former 53rd Wing honorary commander, with a coin after finding out he was born on the exact day as the wing was activated during the wing’s 70th birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. General Richardson was commander of the 53rd Wing from 1998 to 2000. The wing was activated Jan. 15, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) 53rd Wing members salute during the National Anthem during the wing’s 70th birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The hosted a ceremony and cookout and a mini-airshow featuring six of the aircraft types that are flown by the wing. The wing was activated Jan. 15, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) The 53rd Wing hosted a mini-airshow as part of their 70th birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Six different aircraft types representing just a few of the airframes the 53rd Wing use to conduct their mission of operational testing and evaluation were on display. The wing was activated Jan. 15, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) A 53rd Wing F-15 stands in front of the hangar during the 70th birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Six different aircraft types representing just a few of the airframes the 53rd Wing use to conduct their mission of operational testing and evaluation were on display. The wing was activated Jan. 15, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) Chief Master Sgt. (ret) Walter Richardson, speaks with other attendees after the birthday celebration Feb. 3 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The chief joined the military in 1949 and served in the famous "Tuskegee Airmen," an Army Air Corps program that trained African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. Later in Chief Richardson's career, he served as an aircraft mechanic at Eglin and retired from Hulburt Field. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.) 53rd Wing celebrates 70th birthday by Lois Walsh Team Eglin Public Affairs 2/5/2011 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Reveling in its rich history, the 53rd Wing celebrated its 70th birthday Feb. 3. The wing, established in 1940 and activated at MacDill Field, Fla., on Jan. 15, 1941, trained fighter pilots in the P-35 and P-40 aircraft and later flew P-39 patrols in defense of the Panama Canal. Through the years, and several redesignations later, the wing emerged to where it is today--supporting the warfighter by providing operational test and evaluation of new equipment and electronic systems. Past commanders, veterans, community leaders and active 53rd Airmen packed a hangar to acknowledge the wing's accomplishments and advancements. Dr. Charles Merkel, wing historian, presented a slide show with highlights of the 70 years of airpower excellence. "Our future and legacy will continue to our 100th birthday and beyond," Dr. Merkel said. Brig. Gen (ret) Douglas Richardson, wing commander from 1998-2000, spoke about when he first visited the base as a cadet from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He talked about his experiences as commander and the changes the wing's seen in the last 10 years. He categorized his experience in four themes: people, family, friends and faith. "The primary job of commanders is to take care of people," General Richardson said. He coined a former 53rd honorary commander, Art Dees, when the general found out both the wing and Mr. Dees had the same birthday. The general said due to the complex and diverse mission and geographical separation of the wing, leadership did not take on a traditional role. He counted heavily on working together with local communities and the faith and trust he had in his friends, co-workers and fellow commanders with the bottom line, supporting the warfighter. The wing dedicated a time capsule filled with artifacts from today's 53rd Wing. Items like coins, patches, photos and letters from the commanders speaking of current operations. It will be on display in the 53rd's headquarters building, until it is opened in 2041, for the wing's 100th birthday. In closing, Col. Michael Gantt, 53rd commander, said it was a big week for the wing, citing several events, including the birthday celebration and culminating with the annual awards dinner. After thanking those present, and reflecting on the wing's future. "It certainly would be fatuous of us to think that we know how this organization will look in 2041. Just like our past, this organization will be shaped by world events and guided by the outstanding leadership of our current and future squadron and group commanders; 2041 holds the promise of continued Airpower Excellence. What I do know is that the Sword and Shield of the 53d Wing will be carried into the future by Airmen of tremendous talent."