NEWS RELEASE: 2014 Open House to showcase Holloman assets

  • Published
  • By 49th Wing Public Affairs
  • Release No. 14-04-10
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Holloman will open its gates to the public for the 2014 Open House from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 10, giving residents of the Tularosa Basin and Sacramento Mountains the opportunity to witness what the men and women of Team Holloman do daily to defend America.

"Whether you are 3 years old or 100 years old, there will be something for everybody to see," said Lt. Col. Chad Teske, 49th Wing Open House director. "This event will show off all the things we're doing at Holloman and in the Air Force. We also want to thank the community their unwavering support over the past 72 years."

This year's Open House is officially titled "Legacy of Freedom: Honoring the Past, Protecting the Future." The title, however, only offers a taste of what will be featured during the action-packed event.

The F-22A Raptor demonstration team from Langley AFB, Va., is scheduled to perform at 11:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., and a P-51 Mustang will also perform twice. In addition, flybys by Holloman assets such as the MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper and T-38 Talon will take place throughout the day.

The German Air Force Flying Training Center at Holloman, which is the command headquarters for the entire German command in the continental United States, will perform a flyover and static display of the Tornado.

Another first-time feature for Holloman is an MQ-1 Predator static build by the 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

"One of the coolest demonstrations that folks will see is the MQ-1 Predator static build," said Colonel Teske. "Our outstanding maintainers will demonstrate how they take an RPA from the shipping container to the completely built aircraft in under an hour."

Furthermore, a variety of Air Force assets will be on static display, to include the A-10 Thunderbolt II, AC-130W Stinger II, F-15E Strike Eagle, KC-10 Extender, and the C-17 Globemaster.

All three New Mexico Air Force bases will be represented at the Open House along with the New Mexico Air Force Auxiliary (the Civil Air Patrol). Recruiters will also be on the ramp to talk to anyone wanting more information on an Air Force career.

Many Holloman squadrons will be selling official unit memorabilia, and vendors will sell food and drinks throughout the day.

"This Open House will give the entire family an opportunity to stay a few hours and see the entire show. You can come out in the morning, see the events and leave, come at noon and see the same events, or come and stay all day. This is a great opportunity for the community to see some flying, meet their neighbors and be proud of the mission that's going on at Holloman," said Colonel Teske.