SOS to celebrate 60th anniversary Published April 15, 2010 By Carl Bergquist Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Squadron Officer School leadership and personnel are inviting former SOS students and faculty to attend the SOS 60th Anniversary celebration May 6-8 at the Squadron Officer College complex. "We have several fun and interesting events planned over the three-day celebration," Col. Michael Pipan, SOS commandant, said. "There will be an icebreaker and welcome Thursday evening, flickerball, Project X and a barbecue lunch on Friday, golf tourney Saturday morning, and we'll conclude with a military ball Saturday evening. The guest speaker for the military ball will be the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Norton A. Schwartz." Maj. Jennifer Berenger, 32rd Student Squadron flight commander and assistant director of operations, said alumni, former staff and their guests are invited to attend the 60th Anniversary and Red Pants Reunion. For out-of-town attendees, Major Berenger said blocks of rooms have been reserved on base and at the Embassy Suites hotel in downtown Montgomery. Major Berenger said the deadline for registration is Tuesday. Interested parties can register by mail or online at http://einvitations.afit.edu/SOS60thAnniversaryReunion/anim.cfm. In-processing will take place on May 6 at the Squadron Officer College's Husband Auditorium in building 1403 at Maxwell. The Squadron Officer School Web site says SOS is the second course in the Air Force officer professional military education system and traces its roots to the Air Corps Tactical School founded in 1946 at Maxwell Field. SOS became an arm of Air Command and Staff College in 1950 when ACTS closed. Col. Russell Ritchey, founder and first commandant, opened the Squadron Officer Course, the beginning of SOS, at Maxwell that same year. In 1959, SOS became a separate Air University school reporting directly to the Air University commander. In 2000, the school merged with Air and Space Basic Course to form Squadron Officer College. Its mission focuses on professional development for company-grade officers. For more information, visit the SOS Anniversary Web site at www.au.af.mil/au/soc/sos_ 60.html.