Volk Field open house a success

By Staff Sgt. Stephen Montgomery
115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Low clouds and uncertain weather didn't keep approximately 3,000 visitors away as Volk Field opened its doors for its biennial open house and air show Saturday (Aug. 21), giving the public a chance to see what the Air National Guard is all about.

"It's a great way to foster the relationship with the community and to help them better understand what we do here," said Lt. Col. Steve Dunai, Volk Field operations director.

There was a Madison-based F-16 Falcon and a Milwaukee-based KC-135 Stratotanker as well as a static display by the 128th Air Control Squadron.

Building and growing the relationship with the local community was one of the key goals of the open house.

"We are proud to be located where we are and this is one way to give back to our neighbors," said Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Cullen, Volk airfield manager. "It's an affordable way to have fun and enjoy the day."

Another aspect of the open house was a fly-in for general aviation pilots and an aviation safety seminar hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. There were 145 pre-registered aircraft for the fly-in, some coming from as far as Milwaukee and Green Bay, but due to weather only 20 aircraft were able to make it in.

Some of the pilots flying in were there for the seminar, while others came for "the experience of landing on a military base," Cullen said - something that few civilian pilots ever get to experience.

The air show featured both military and civilian performers and static displays such as a B-25 Mitchell Bomber, F-86 Sabre Jet and T-6A Texan II, as well as displays by the Juneau County Dive Team and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.