Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass joins Branden and Amanda Sorensen, Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored drivers, to pass out U.S. Air Force recruiting merchandise to Sorensen Motorsports fans in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth during a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, CA, Oct. 14, 2023. A crowd gathered in front of the USAF Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon where the Sorensen’s and CMSAF Bass distributed USAF recruiting merchandise to the fans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass joins Branden and Amanda Sorensen, Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored drivers, to pass out U.S. Air Force recruiting merchandise to Sorensen Motorsports fans in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth during a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. A crowd gathered in front of the USAF Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon where the Sorensen and Bass distributed USAF recruiting merchandise to the fans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    










race car kicks up smoke as it makes the sharp turnChief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass participates in a ride-along with Amanda Sorensen, an Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored driver, at a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. Bass joined Sorensen for a lap around the track where Sorensen showcased her professional driving abilities by expertly balancing speed and control while drifting around the track. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    









woman in uniform shakes the hand of a young manChief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass meets U.S. Marine Corps Marines while greeting Formula Drift patrons in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. Bass had the opportunity to meet current service members and veterans while she was visiting the recruiting booth. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    
Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass joins Branden and Amanda Sorensen, Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored drivers, to pass out U.S. Air Force recruiting merchandise to Sorensen Motorsports fans in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth during a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, CA, Oct. 14, 2023. A crowd gathered in front of the USAF Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon where the Sorensen’s and CMSAF Bass distributed USAF recruiting merchandise to the fans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass joins Branden and Amanda Sorensen, Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored drivers, to pass out U.S. Air Force recruiting merchandise to Sorensen Motorsports fans in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth during a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. A crowd gathered in front of the USAF Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon where the Sorensen and Bass distributed USAF recruiting merchandise to the fans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
        
        race car kicks up smoke as it makes the sharp turnChief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass participates in a ride-along with Amanda Sorensen, an Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored driver, at a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. Bass joined Sorensen for a lap around the track where Sorensen showcased her professional driving abilities by expertly balancing speed and control while drifting around the track. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
        
        woman in uniform shakes the hand of a young manChief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass meets U.S. Marine Corps Marines while greeting Formula Drift patrons in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. Bass had the opportunity to meet current service members and veterans while she was visiting the recruiting booth. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
CMSAF meets high-speed recruiters, Sorensen team at motorsport drifting eventPublished Oct. 18, 2023
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell
                    
                    
                    Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service
            **IRWINDALE, Calif. (AFNS) --**It wasn’t just any other day in beautiful Southern California. A sunny, picturesque day with temperatures in the low 80s. If you didn’t know any better, you would have thought that a fog had rolled in just as the festivities had begun. But no, that smoke accompanied by the distinct scent of burnt rubber is exactly why thousands of fans congregated together at the Irwindale Speedway; it was race day.
Motorsport fans traveled from all over to attend the Formula Drift event, Oct. 14. U.S. Air Force recruiters with the **369th Recruiting Squadron**, **Air National Guard** and **Air Force Reserves** spent the morning showing the **F-16 Fighting Falcon** static display that sat to the left of the hangar, an interactive recruiting asset that allows the public to try their hand at three Air Force specialties; aircraft maintenance, metal fabrication and a virtual reality simulation of in-flight refueling operations. The recruiting setup drew attention from a variety of patrons, but it isn’t every day when the Air Force’s highest enlisted leader pays a visit.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass operates a virtual reality in-flight refueling simulation at the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth supporting a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, CA, Oct. 14, 2023. The VR recruiting asset allows the public to challenge themselves by virtually operating a simulated aerial refueling boom, giving fuel to three different aircraft in a short amount of time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass operates an in-flight refueling virtual reality simulation at the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth supporting a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. The VR recruiting asset allows the public to challenge themselves by virtually operating a simulated aerial refueling boom, giving fuel to three different aircraft in a short amount of time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    woman in uniform sits in racecar next to driverChief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass takes a picture with Amanda Sorensen, an Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored driver, in Sorensen’s U.S. Air Force-branded stock car at a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. Sorensen parked her car in front of the USAF recruiting booth where she and her brother, Branden, did meet-and-greets and signed autographs for fans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
    
    woman in uniform holds phone up into the sun to take a selfie with two race car driversChief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass takes a selfie with Branden and Amanda Sorensen, Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored drivers, in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth during a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. The Sorensen’s spent time at the recruiting booth where they met with fans and Airmen while promoting the USAF to the crowd. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
**Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass**’ first stop of the day was spent meeting recruiters who were supporting the event, where she had the opportunity to recognize a few Airmen who had been identified by 369th RCS leadership as superior performers.
“These three individuals have really embraced the challenges that we have faced in the Air Force Recruiting Service this year,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Kelloway, 369th RCS senior enlisted leader. “They have really strived to master their craft and improve their skills, and really have exceeded on all fronts this year despite those challenges; we couldn’t be more impressed with their actions and what they have accomplished.”
Tech. Sgt. Aaron Munoz-Case, one of the three recruiters recognized, was celebrated by his leadership for his initiative to lean into utilizing social media to reach a wider audience, something that Bass shared that she can relate to. Munoz-Case said he was excited to meet a senior leader who understands the value of social media as a communication platform.
“I really appreciate that she recognizes the need for Air Force recruiters and leaders to have a digital footprint,” Munoz-Case said. “I think it helps us reach potential applicants from all walks of life and allows us to connect with communities who may not know what being an Airman is all about.”
Munoz-Case said that her recognition motivated him but he was especially inspired after she joined their team to interact with Formula Drift patrons.
Bass spent time sharing her Air Force story and conversing with several of the motorsports fans who took the time to stop in and experience the recruiting booth. After talking with several potential future Airmen, Bass was in for a thrill as she continued to her next stop of the day’s events.
Bass met with Amanda Sorensen, **AFRS-sponsored** driver, who daringly invited her to join in a joyride in the Air Force-branded, high-performance stock car. Sorensen showcased her professional driving abilities by expertly balancing speed and control while drifting around the track, filling the stadium with the smoke and aroma of burnt rubber. Sorensen exited the track to drive Bass to meet her brother, Branden, who is also an AFRS-sponsored Formula Drift driver, at the recruiting booth where the trio met fans and signed autographs."I couldn’t be more excited about the partnership that the Air Force has with Team Sorensen, I think between that partnership and events like this, it allows us to connect with a diverse demographic of people from all ages and economic backgrounds, and that is important to our Air Force."Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass
Among the fans in the crowd were an especially proud group of soon-to-be Airmen and their families. Bass took a moment to personally congratulate the young men and women who were minutes away from reciting the oath of enlistment on the track during the evening’s opening ceremony.
Following the opening ceremony, the crowd roared with a combination of praise for the patriotic introduction and excitement for the day’s main event. Bass finished the evening enjoying the Formula Drift event, but she spent the day experiencing something uniquely special. Bass witnessed two key moments in the recruiting process; an applicant’s introduction to the Air Force and the recruit’s reciting the oath that every enlisted service member, past, present and future decrees to gain admittance into the armed services.
“It was really inspiring to get to spend time with our recruiters who are out there looking for the next generation of Airmen,” Bass said. “I particularly enjoyed having the opportunity to meet some of their recruits and hear their ‘why’ before watching those 18 young men and women raise their right hands and make that commitment in front of 45,000 fans. It’s a reminder to everyone of what makes us the world’s greatest Air Force.”FS 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



CMSAF 



Amanda Sorensen 



drift even 



Irwindale Speedway 



recruiting 



Air Force Recruiting Service 



racing 



AFRS 



Air National Guard 



Air Force Reserves 



Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass 



Team Sorensen 



Virtual Reality 



VR 



Thunderbirds 



f-16 



motorsports 



One Team One Fight Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil