Open House to showcase Holloman, Air Force assets

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Holloman will open it's gates to the public during the 2009 Open House from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 24, giving the community an opportunity to witness what Team Holloman does daily to defend America.

"From 8 years old to 80, there will be something for everybody," said Capt. August "Pfoto" Pfluger, 49th Fighter Wing Open House director. "The point of this is to show off what we're doing at Holloman and to thank the community for all of their support."

This year's Open House is officially titled "Raptors and Reapers over the Southwest." The title, however, only offers a taste of the many diverse aircraft that will be featured during the action-packed event.

The F-22A Raptor demonstration team from Langley AFB, Va., is scheduled to perform at the Open House and a T-38 Talon demonstration team will be performing as well. Scheduled flybys include the F-22A Raptor, T-38 Talon, MQ-9 Reaper and C-17 Globemaster III.

Additionally, the German air force will perform a fly over and static display of the Tornado, and the Canadian CF-18 Hornet demonstration team will perform, making this Open House different from those in the past.

"It's one of the first times we've done this -- an international open house," said Captain Pfluger. 

Another first time feature for Holloman is the MQ-1 Predator video feed demonstration.

"One of the coolest demonstrations that folks are going to be able to come out and see is the MQ-1 Predator demonstration," said Capt. Pfluger. "We're going to have a Predator airborne all day long and there's going to be a tent with big video screens and a live video feed from that MQ-1 Predator."

Guests will be able to visit the tent and see live video of the Open House from the air, demonstrating the Predators' capabilities.

"You can't see it, you can't hear it, but you can go in that tent and see what it's looking at. It gives you a sense of what the mission is in theater and overseas," the 7th Fighter Squadron pilot said. "It is a true combat capability."

Civilian aerial acts will also be performed throughout the day including the Air Force Reserve Jet Car, the Air National Guard and the B-25 Mitchell Bomber.

Furthermore, a variety of static displays will be set up to include the B-1 Lancer, P-51 Mustang, B-25 Mitchell Bomber and F-15 Eagle.

All New Mexico bases will be represented at the Open House as well as all branches of the military, including the U.S. Border Patrol, giving all future servicemembers the chance to speak to recruiters as well as pilots.

Squadrons will be selling official memorabilia and vendors will sell food and drinks throughout the day.

"This Open House is a chance for the entire family to get out there all day long to enjoy the ramp, to see the flying and to be proud of the mission that's going on at Holloman," said Captain Pfluger.

For more information on confirmed acts, static displays, safety information and prohibited items, visit the Open House Web page at www.holloman.af.mil/openhouse.asp.