Flares of Freedom: Whiteman’s Independence Day Celebration

Members of Team Whiteman enjoy the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018.

A member of Team Whiteman gets her face painted during the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018. The celebration kicked off with a four-ship T-38 flyover and featured a DJ, live band, petting zoo, games, face painting, rides and balloon artists. The 509th Force Support Squadron and private base organizations sold food and drinks. The festivities concluded with a spectacular fireworks show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)

Members of Team Whiteman enjoy the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018.

Fireworks light the sky during the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018. The celebration kicked off with a four-ship T-38 flyover and featured a DJ, live band, petting zoo, games, face painting, rides and balloon artists. The 509th Force Support Squadron and private base organizations sold food and drinks. The festivities concluded with a spectacular fireworks show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)

Members of Team Whiteman enjoy the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018.

A member of Team Whiteman feeds a zebra at the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018. The celebration kicked off with a four-ship T-38 flyover and featured a DJ, live band, petting zoo, games, face painting, rides and balloon artists. The 509th Force Support Squadron and private base organizations sold food and drinks. The festivities concluded with a spectacular fireworks show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)

Members of Team Whiteman enjoy the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018.

Members of Team Whiteman enjoy the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018. The celebration kicked off with a four-ship T-38 flyover and featured a DJ, live band, petting zoo, games, face painting, rides and balloon artists. The 509th Force Support Squadron and private base organizations sold food and drinks. The festivities concluded with a spectacular fireworks show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)

Members of Team Whiteman enjoy the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018.

Members of Team Whiteman enjoy the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018. The celebration kicked off with a four-ship T-38 flyover and featured a DJ, live band, petting zoo, games, face painting, rides and balloon artists. The 509th Force Support Squadron and private base organizations sold food and drinks. The festivities concluded with a spectacular fireworks show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)

Members of Team Whiteman enjoy the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018.

Fireworks light the sky during the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018. The celebration kicked off with a four-ship T-38 flyover and featured a DJ, live band, petting zoo, games, face painting, rides and balloon artists. The 509th Force Support Squadron and private base organizations sold food and drinks. The festivities concluded with a spectacular fireworks show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)

Members of Team Whiteman enjoy the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018.

Members of Team Whiteman enjoy the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018. The celebration kicked off with a four-ship T-38 flyover and featured a DJ, live band, petting zoo, games, face painting, rides and balloon artists. The 509th Force Support Squadron and private base organizations sold food and drinks. The festivities concluded with a spectacular fireworks show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)

Members of Team Whiteman enjoy the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018.

A member of Team Whiteman feeds the goats at the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018. The celebration kicked off with a four-ship T-38 flyover and featured a DJ, live band, petting zoo, games, face painting, rides and balloon artists. The 509th Force Support Squadron and private base organizations sold food and drinks. The festivities concluded with a spectacular fireworks show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)

Members of Team Whiteman enjoy the annual Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on July 3, 2018.

One of Team Whiteman’s youngest members scales a rock climbing wall during the Independence Day Celebration at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, July 3, 2018. The celebration kicked off with a four-ship T-38 flyover and featured a DJ, live band, petting zoo, games, face painting, rides and balloon artists. The 509th Force Support Squadron and private base organizations sold food and drinks. The festivities concluded with a spectacular fireworks show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor Phifer)

WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --