2008 AFMC Freedom's Call Tattoo to add new features and major musical entertainer

  • Published
  • By Chris McGee
  • 88 ABW Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The 2007 Air Force Materiel Command Freedom's Call Tattoo proved to be a big hit, drawing more than 60,000 visitors to the grounds adjacent to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force to see aircraft flyovers, musical entertainment and fireworks in late June.

The 2008 show - scheduled for June 27 - is shaping up to be even bigger, say officials involved in planning the event.

One new feature will be the addition of an exhibit area where visitors can view technological capabilities currently employed and being developed by the U.S. Air Force, including those managed at Wright-Patterson AFB.

Another significant development is that Tattoo officials are in the process of securing a major musical entertainment personality for next year's event. An official announcement is expected in early 2008.

The headline entertainer will join other popular returning acts and features such as the Air Force Band of Flight, Air Force aircraft flyovers, special tributes to military veterans, and the fireworks show.

According to Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander, the AFMC Freedom's Call Tattoo is instrumental in allowing the public to see an up-close demonstration of Air Force capabilities and for enabling the Air Force to express its gratitude to a supportive public.

"The AFMC Tattoo is an exceptional, two-fold event," Gen. Carlson said. "Spectators are provided with a unique way to experience our service's heritage, as well as understand better its capabilities to protect and serve our great country. And it is a great way to let our fellow citizens know just how much we appreciate and value their trust and support."

The theme for the 2008 Tattoo is "Thank the Troops and Families."

"We want to thank and honor the families of our military members as well as thank our community for the support they all provide the base and the Air Force as we perform our mission and defend our nation," said Dave Egner, Tattoo director.

Officials seek to develop a new theme and format each year to make each event unique. 

Along with the more than 60,000 visitors on the main event grounds, Egner said that thousands more lined the roads and the base's perimeter fence to view the aircraft flyovers and fireworks. Overall, the turnout and feedback underscored the growing enthusiasm for the event.

"We were surprised to find out how many hotels in the area were booked by Tattoo spectators visiting from outside the area," Egner said. "The event was well promoted and well received and is growing in popularity throughout the region."

For Tattoo 2007, officials secured an outside firm to provide traffic parking assistance. The flow of traffic in and out of the event area and the parking went more smoothly than in the past, but Egner and his team remain focused on identifying and implementing further improvements.

"As our event grows, we need to ensure easy and quick entry and exit to and from the venue site for all of our spectators," Egner said. "We met with our parking contractor immediately after the event and looked at what we did well and where we need to improve.

"We're working with base security forces and our surrounding communities to work a better traffic flow and parking availability," Egner said. "Along with opening up another gate next year, we're also studying the feasibility of using satellite parking outside of, but convenient to the event area with mass transit to transport visitors from those areas.