Arctic Thunder Open House looks to wow the crowd

by Air Force Staff Sgt. Wes Wright
JBER Public Affairs

7/10/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- You've been thunder-struck! The words to a popular 1990 rock song might just be the impact on the crowd during Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's Arctic Thunder Open House July 26 and 27, which is free and open to the public.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, "America's Ambassadors in Blue," will headline two full days of aerial performances. Charged with demonstrating the professionalism of Airmen and the capabilities of modern airpower, the Thunderbirds were formed in 1953 and is comprised of nearly 130 Airmen. The primary product of that teamwork is approximately 40 maneuvers, varying between formation flying and solo routines. The entire show lasts about one hour.

The Thunderbirds have been flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a multi-role fighter, since August 1982.

"The F-16 is a remarkable and dependable aircraft," said Air Force Capt. Lucas Buckley, Thunderbirds maintenance officer. "The aircraft is fast, loud and highly maneuverable. That's what makes it fun and exciting to watch, especially at the relatively low altitudes required in the show."

JBER's own F-22 Raptors will also be in the Alaska skies, as well as several civilian acts. Additionally, static displays ranging from the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber to an F-16 Fighting Falcon to a KC-135 Stratotanker Aerial Refueler will be on display.

"The whole purpose is to let taxpayers know where their money is being spent and how it's being spent," said Song Johnson, 673d Air Base Wing community engagement chief. "Also, it's a way for us to give back to the community that has been so kind to us."

The open house director, Air Force Maj. Karl Easterly, 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, encouraged families and community members to attend the biennial event.

"Really, the draw - besides the show itself - the spirit of the Air Force and America is represented with the Thunderbirds," Easterly said. "We want people to be excited about the Air Force and excited about JBER. It's very much a family-friendly event. We're going to have all sorts of fun, games and food; from bouncy castles to jets, we'll have it all."

Each branch of the military will be represented during the open house, with each service showcasing the mission it performs at JBER. Both days begin at 9 a.m., when the JBER-Richardson and Boniface gates will open to the public, and will end at 5 p.m. Department of Defense ID card holders can still access the installation through any of the gates.

The Thunderbirds were last at JBER in 2012, and according to Johnson, were a hit.

"It was a huge crowd favorite and we're happy to have them back again," Johnson said. "JBER is one of the few places in the country that's been authorized to have the Thunderbirds and an open house."

Due to sequestration, DOD officials have limited open houses and demonstration teams, but according to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, there is a continuing need to maintain their mission.

"Community and public outreach is a crucial departmental activity that reinforces trust and confidence in the United States military and in its most important asset - people," Hagel said. "It is our obligation to sustain that trust well into the future."

According to organizers, many of the static displays will be set up where people can actually walk into and sit in military equipment.

"We want this to be an interactive event where people can experience what it's like to be in a military aircraft or vehicle," Johnson said.

With an event of the magnitude of JBER's open house, Johnson encouraged people to plan ahead with transportation.

"Parking will be limited," Johnson said. "The best advice I can give people is carpool. There will not be any public transportation from town into JBER. For people who want to ride bicycles, there will be areas for people to lock up their bikes.

For updated ATOH information, to include performances, displays, and prohibited and recommended items to bring, visit www.jber.af.mil/arcticthunder/index.asp. Updates are also posted on the official JBER facebook page.