McConnell's Open House goes off without hitch

  • Published
  • By Airman Justin Shelton
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Pubilc Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  McConnell held an Open House July 14-15 to give the local community an understanding of Air Force missions and military capabilities and to showcase the skills and professionalism of servicemembers.

During the Open House, the base was open to the public, and approximately 101,891 people attended this year's event, said Maj. Hoeritz, Open House director.

"I'd never seen an (Open House) before, and I'd never been to an Air Force base either. It was cool and fun," said Derral Fleeks, 7, an Open House guest who got to see the show while visiting his cousin in Wichita.

The Open House offered patrons a look at multiple static aircraft displays. There were military jets and planes from various eras -- including currently used aircraft. Several booths lined the grounds and provided people with food and souvenirs. The event supplied entertainment for adults and children alike. It offered large, bouncy castles inflated with air, which were in a special Kid Zone. It also offered aerial demonstrations throughout the day for adults and children to enjoy. Feature acts included performances from the Army Golden Knights and the Navy Blue Angels.

The Army Golden Knights, a parachute team, participated in a total of four jumps. They leapt from a C-31A aircraft from 14,000 feet in the sky twice each day of the Open House.

Their performance was followed by the Navy Blue Angels aerial demonstration team that entertained the crowd with its airborne maneuvers for about an hour. Patrons gathered to watch as the Blue Angels pilots and their maintenance team prepared the F/A 18 Hornet aircraft for take off. Then, the Angels took to the skies and demonstrated various flight formations, including a diamond formation, where four jets flew closely together. Each aircraft also took turns performing 360-degree spins while in various formations.

"I never would have imagined that watching a flight crew could be so entertaining," said P.J. Barrett, Open House patron and local YMCA director of wellness and personal training. "It was a well choreographed production and very impressive. But, as remarkable as the Blue Angels were, I was even more proud of the way all of the military personnel conducted themselves. They were generous, helpful and extremely polite to everyone attending."

The base also provided combat and flying simulations for the public during the Open House. The Army was present with its Virtual Army Experience, where civilians were exposed to a completely virtual and safe, mock combat environment. They were given imitation weapons and missions in order show them a day in the life of a Soldier.

The whole event seemed to go off without a hitch.

"All along we expected a good show, but because of the tremendous effort of everyone here at McConnell Air Force Base, we put on a spectacular Open House," Major Hoeritz said.