LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Team Little Rock kicked off the holiday season with a tree lighting celebration followed by the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Herk Holiday Party, hosted by the 19th Maintenance Group, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Dec. 1, 2023.
The festivities began with the highly anticipated Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony, held at Heritage Park. The event was attended by distinguished guests, including the Mayor, city of Jacksonville, the honorable Jeff Elmore and the Mayor, city of Ward, the honorable Charles Gastineau. The tree lighting ceremony symbolized the start of the holiday season and brought together the base community.
Adding to the enchantment of the evening, the Jacksonville Lighthouse Elementary Choir graced the event filling the air with holiday tunes.
Col. Denny Davies, 19th Airlift Wing and installation commander, had the honor of lighting up the holiday tree with the assistance of Miss Aria Fowler, the daughter of Staff Sgt. Travis Fowler, 373rd Training Squadron Detachment 4 instructor.
“This holiday season as we count our blessings, and we give thanks, let’s remember all the military families whose loved ones are far from home—our Airmen and their families deserve our heartfelt gratitude and our whole hearted support,” said Davies. “On behalf of the 19th Airlift Wing and Team Little Rock I want to wish all of you all a very happy holiday season and year filled with joy.”
Following the tree lighting ceremony, the celebration continued with the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Herk Holiday Party. Hosted by the 19th MXG in hangar 276, the party provided a festive atmosphere for Airmen and their families, and featured a variety of activities, including games, holiday crafts, and opportunities to meet Santa Claus himself.
The success of the Holiday Tree Lighting event and the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Herk Holiday Party would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of the 19th AW, the 19th Force Support Squadron, 19th Maintenance Squadron, 19th Civil Engineer Squadron, 19th Communications Squadron, 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 19th MXG.