Nellis Open House celebrates airpower

A P-51 Mustang flies over the airfield at the Nellis Open House at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 9, 2014, The P-51 served in nearly every combat zone during World War II, and later fought in the Korean War. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Sanjay Allen)

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Nellis Open House celebrates airpower

Amparo and Jeff Pittman, of Las Vegas, watch the P-51 Mustang perform at the Nellis Open House at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 9, 2014. The open house featured numerous aircraft representing America's aviation history on display alongside some of the nation's newest military aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Sanjay Allen)

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Nellis Open House celebrates airpower

A visitor to the Nellis Open House speaks to 1st Lt. Erick Williams, 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 9, 2014. Williams is a copilot on the E-3 Sentry, which is an airborne warning and control system, or AWACS, aircraft that provides an accurate, real-time picture of the battlespace to the Joint Air Operations Center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Sanjay Allen)

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Nellis Open House celebrates airpower

An HH-60 Pave Hawk from the 66th Rescue Squadron demonstrates a training mission during the Nellis Open House at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 9, 2014. The mission of the 66th RQS is to provide rapidly deployable, expeditionary and agile combat search and rescue forces in response to contingency operations worldwide. The squadron also conducts peacetime search and rescue in support of the National Search and Rescue Plan and the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Sanjay Allen)

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Nellis Open House celebrates airpower

Staff Sgt. Nathan Dimambro and Airman 1st Class Dustin Waldrop, both members of the 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, explain the features of the F-35A Lightning II to visitors attending the Nellis Open House at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 9, 2014. The F-35 is the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth generation fighter. It will replace the U.S. Air Force’s aging fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt II’s, which have been the primary fighter aircraft for more than 20 years, and bring with it an enhanced capability to survive in the advanced threat environment in which it was designed to operate. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Sanjay Allen)

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Nellis Open House celebrates airpower

Visitors to the Nellis Open House stand in line to tour the KC-135 Stratotanker at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 9, 2014. The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the U.S. Air Force and excelled in this role for more than 50 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Sanjay Allen)

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Nellis Open House celebrates airpower

Spectators at the Nellis Open House snap photos of the F-16 Fighting Falcons of the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 9, 2014. More than 176,000 people attended the Nellis Open House this year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Sanjay Allen)

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Nellis Open House celebrates airpower

Published Nov. 12, 2014
By Tech. Sgt. Sanjay Allen
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- More than 176,000 people attended the Nellis Open House and practice show Nov. 7, 8 and 9 to celebrate the 21st century Air Force and its accomplishments in air, space and cyberspace.

The multi-day event depicted the history of aviation with more than 100 military and civilian aircraft on static display and 14 performing aerial demonstrations.

"Our [guests] had a great time," said Bob Jones, Nellis Open House director. "They learned about us and our mission. That's why we do this."

Spectators from as far away as Australia, Europe and Japan traveled to Nellis AFB to witness aircraft that crossed generations take to the sky. Aircraft such as the B-25J Mitchell and P-51 Mustang from World War II to the F-86 Sabers of the Korean War and the F-22A Raptor and F-35A Lightning II of today's Air Force took part in the open house.

"I like the older [aircraft] better, but she likes the newer ones," said Jeff Pittman of Las Vegas about his wife, Amparo Pittman, who is a little biased because she had a hand in building some of the newer military aircraft before she retired from an aircraft manufacturer.

Spectators were given an up-close look at the Nellis AFB flightline and aircraft on static display.

"I love this show," said Dave Williams, a visitor to the weekend's event. "I've lived here my whole life and the open house is always a good show. It was a great show for the kids too. They loved it."

Like any other success story, it couldn't have happened without a team coming together. Approximately 275 Airmen from a variety of career fields around the base augmented in jobs outside of their normal daily duties, such as security and logistics.

"It was a total success," said Jones. "We hit record crowds. Vendors have had record sales. We had a great team effort and the only way we could do this is with a good team. Everyone came together."