SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AP) -- Soldiers, civilian employees and families of the Third Army are celebrating their 94th birthday with a ceremony of the unit's battle streamers, cake-cutting and chili cook-off.

Army spokeswoman Maj. Antoinette Baucom says Wednesday's celebrations are being held at Shaw Air Force Base, where the unit is headquartered.

The parade of battle streamers carried by soldiers takes place on Lucky Field at Patton Hall. The cake-cutting is conducted by the unit's oldest and youngest soldiers.

Participants are invited to attend a chili competition, barbeque and sporting events.

The Third Army stood up as an Army unit on Nov. 7, 1918, at Chaumont, France during the closing days of World War I. It now supports U.S. military operations in the Middle East and central Asia.