USAF 75th Anniversary Celebration

The Oklahoma Defense Industry Association has partnered with the Air & Space Forces Association Gerrity Chapter 215 and the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission to celebrate the USAF’s 75th Anniversary featuring Oklahoma’s own Col (Ret) Chuck DeBellevue, marking his 50th year as America’s leading Vietnam Ace. On September 8, 2022, at 4:00 pm in the Oklahoma History Center, you are invited to join industry leaders, active and reserve military personnel, and veterans for a fireside chat as we commemorate this special occasion.

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oklahoma-salute-to-the-us-air-force-and-vietnam-ace-col-chuck-debellevue-tickets-402058546937. A cocktail reception will follow. We welcome all active duty, reserve, and veteran military members, as well as the nation’s defense and aerospace industry representatives.

3 p.m. – Registration Begins and Doors Open to the Museum for Event
4 p.m. – Panel Discussion in the Chesapeake Event Center and Gallery
5 p.m. – Hors d’oeuvre’s and Cocktail Reception in the Devon Great Hall

Panelists

Colonel Charles Barbin DeBellevue, USAF, Retired

Col. DeBellevue is a retired officer in the United States Air Force. In 1972, DeBellevue became one of only five Americans to achieve flying ace status during the Vietnam War, and the first as an Air Force weapon systems officer, an integral part of two-man aircrews with the emergence of air-to-air missiles as the primary weapons during aerial combat. He was credited with a total of six MiG kills, the most earned by any U.S. aviator during the Vietnam War, and is a recipient of the Air Force Cross.

Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF, Retired

David A. Deptula is the Dean of the Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Power Studies. He transitioned from the U.S. Air Force in 2010 at the rank of Lieutenant General after more than 34 years of service. Deptula was commissioned in 1974 as a distinguished graduate from The University of Virginia Air Force ROTC program and remained to complete a master’s degree in 1976. During his military career, he took part in operations, planning, joint warfighting, major command, service headquarters, and combatant command levels, and also served on two congressional commissions outlining America’s future defense posture.