Offutt to host Defenders of Freedom Open House, Air Show

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (ACCNS) --  One group earns a living jumping out of airplanes. Another performs aerial maneuvers that leave crowd after crowd begging for more. Both groups are Offutt bound along with the B-17, C-47, Mig-17 and a host of other aircraft. 

Offutt is scheduled to host its annual "Defenders of Freedom" Open House and Air Show Aug. 29 and 30. Gates are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with aerial performances tentatively set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The show is free and open to the public. 

The 2009 Defenders of Freedom event features the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's flight demonstration team, and the U.S. Army's Golden Knights, a parachute team commonly known as the "Official Ambassadors of the Army." 

For the past 63 years, the Blue Angels have entertained audiences in the United States, Russia, England, Spain and many other nations. Since 1946, more than 427 million people have witnessed the aerial acrobatics of the U.S. Navy's demonstration team. 

According to the team's Web site, an air show performance consists of carefully choreographed refinements of skills possessed by all naval aviators. It includes acrobatic maneuvers such as the four-plane diamond formation and the six-jet delta formation. 

U.S. Navy Lt. Frank Weissner, a team member for two years, said the Offutt community can expect a great show that everyone will enjoy. 

An exciting and action-packed hour consisting of high-speed maneuvers and precision flying will be on display, Lieutenant Weissner said. 

"Whether you're a civilian with no military service, an active-duty servicemember or a retired military member, the show will remind you of the professionalism displayed each and every day by our armed forces and just what a team working together is capable of," he said. 

By the time the Blue Angels arrive at Offutt they'll have performed 40 shows in 22 different cities this year. 

Along with the Navy's Blue Angels, the Army's Golden Knights are scheduled to command the sky above Offutt. 

According to the Golden Knights Web site, the group has performed more than 15,000 shows in all 50 states and 48 countries. The team consists of a black and gold demonstration squad who perform at an altitude of 12,500 feet. Their black squad is scheduled to perform during Offutt's 2009 show. 

During a performance, the Golden Knights perform two different shows. With each performance, the jumpers perform maneuvers at speeds in excess of 120 mph. Some maneuvers include the baton pass, the cutaway and the diamond track. 

The baton pass is a maneuver performed by two jumpers who take turns exchanging a 14-inch mahogany baton as they fall toward Earth. 

The cutaway maneuver is designed to show what may happen if a jumper's parachute fails. A single jumper wearing three parachutes exits an aircraft, and after a short while opens the first parachute. The jumper then causes it to malfunction forcing him or her to release it and open the main chute. 

The diamond track consists of two jumpers simultaneously jumping out of an aircraft. Once outside, the jumpers immediately get into a tight body position allowing them to separate almost a mile and half apart. Once this is accomplished, the jumpers then perform 180-degree turns seeming to come within inches of one another. All of this maneuvering creates the shape of a diamond in the sky. 

Spc. Brandie A. Phillips, an airborne x-ray technician and member of the Golden Knights, said she enjoys jumping out of planes. 

"Jumping is the most freeing feeling that I have ever had," Specialist Phillips said. "You can see for miles and miles and the only sound you can hear is the rush of the wind. All the worries of a normal day are lost, and once you're under the canopy, it becomes very peaceful." 

The Soldier said she is honored to be a part of the Golden Knights and is looking forward to performing at Offutt. 

"I feel honored to put on a show for those who are serving or have served their country," she said. "We represent the Soldiers in today's Army and I think it's important for us to interact with family members and veterans." This interaction helps bring the military family closer and allows servicemembers to thank the veterans who have come before them. 

"This will be my first show at Offutt, and it's special for me because my grandfather served there many years ago," Specialist Phillips said. "My family will also be there to support me," she added.

The 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House will also feature numerous aircraft which earned their fame during World War II. 

The B-17, otherwise known as the Flying Fortress, dropped 640,000 bombs on Germany during WWII, and is one of many war birds slated to be on display during Offutt's annual show. 

Sharing the B-17's history with Team Offutt is something Norm Ellickson, a B-17 pilot for the past 14 years, said is truly special. 

The B-17 will show how far America's forces have come in about 70 years, Mr. Ellickson said. "The B-17 was a major part of WWII in Europe, on a good day as many as 1,000 flew missions over Germany." 

"Our aircraft will show people how the men of WWII weathered combat conditions; they were indeed the greatest generation," Mr. Ellickson added. 

Parking for the open house will be provided both on and off base. Off base parking will be available in the parking lots of Southroads Mall, Bellevue University, Northrop Grumman and Bellevue East High School. Parking will also be available behind the Air Force Weather Agency. 

Shuttles will run continuously from 8:45 a.m. until 6 p.m. to transport people between the numerous parking locations and the base. A shuttle will also run continuously between LeMay Elementary School and Peter Sarpy Elementary School to transport Rising View residents to the base. 

During the open house, most of the aircraft will be available for tours and photographs. Pets, coolers and large bags are prohibited. However, small bags, lawn chairs, blankets and strollers are allowed. 

For a complete list of performers or more information about Offutt's open house and air show, visit www.offuttairshow.com.