It's show time! AFMC Tattoo free community event is Friday, June 27

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Holly Layer
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  How does enjoying live music, eating carnival food, watching flyovers and a fireworks show with 75,000 of your closest friends sound? 

If that's on your to-do list, you're in luck! 

Friday, June 27 at 8 p.m. the fourth annual AFMC "Freedom's Call" Tattoo will kick-off with fireworks and flyovers on the grounds of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The show is free and open to the public. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. 

"This year's event is the culmination of a ton of hard work by a great group of people committed to making sure the show is even better than previous years," said Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander. "It's always exciting to me to see the final program and to watch the awe and smiles on visitors' faces. It's a shining example of what makes me proud to be an Airman in today's Air Force." 

Spectators will be treated to the sounds of the Air Force Band of Flight, medal presentations, active duty aircraft flyovers and the Charlie Daniels Band. Other entertainment for the evening include children's activities and getting a sneak peak of what goes on here at Wright-Patt by visiting the technology exhibit tent. The show will conclude with a spectacular fireworks presentation. 

In order to make your experience an enjoyable one, please take note of the below information: 

What to bring 

Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a camera. Strollers, infant diaper bags, cameras and their cases, small purses and pocketbooks are permitted, but subject to inspection. Food will be available for purchase from vendors. 

What NOT to bring 

Please note for security reasons that coolers, portable grills, backpacks, skateboards, in-line skates and glass bottles, knives and weapons of any kind are not permitted. There will be increased security measures in place to include magnetometers. Those parking at the Nutter Center will be screened before boarding the busses. Carry-in items such as purses and small bags will be searched. 

Transportation and parking 

The newest addition to Tattoo this year is the RTA shuttle from the Nutter Center to the show. Spectators should park in lots 7, 8 and 20 of the Nutter Center and take one of the shuttles that will be running every 5 to 10 minutes from 4 to 11 p.m. Motorcyclists are encouraged to take advantage of the hard-surface parking at the Nutter Center. 

Base employees may enter through Gate 22B, located off of I-675 and Colonel Glenn Hwy. 

Those without base access may enter through the museum main entrance on Springfield Pike, the armory gate on Harshman Road and the Spinning Road gate, located at the intersection of Spinning and Airway Roads. 

Base employees who work in Area B should anticipate using an alternate route to exit the base June 27. Loop Road will be closed from C Street to above the hill starting at 3 p.m. to allow for set-up and Tattoo entrance traffic. Only those entering Gate 22B to attend Tattoo will be permitting in that area. To exit Area B, employees are asked to use Gate 1B and 19B. Those who intend to go straight from work to Tattoo are asked to exit Area B and enter through Gate 22B. 

Attractions at the Tattoo include technology displays, game tents for kids, sponsor booths and local bands. Signaling the Tattoo's official start at 8 p.m. will be a line-up of active-inventory aircraft, led by the F-22 Raptor, followed by a quick-moving multi-faceted recognition ceremony, accompanied by music provided by the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight. The Charlie Daniels Band will take the stage at 9 p.m. and play for nearly an hour before the evening concludes at 10 p.m. with one of the most dynamic fireworks displays in southwest Ohio. 

The show is free and open to the public. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. Refreshments are available for purchase during the event. For more information, please visit www.wpafb.af.mil/tattoo.