Freedom's Call TATTOO Ready to Celebrate Base Community

  • Published
  • By Marie Vanover
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio --  It's become a tradition at Wright Patterson Air Force Base for the last 10 years - the Air Force Materiel Command Freedom's Call TATTOO is slated for Friday, June 26.

And although sequestration and the weather have impacted some of the event's festivities in recent years, Dave Egner, TATTOO director said, "this year it will be a spectacular event with flyovers, music and fireworks."

Egner, who has been overseeing TATTOO operations since its inception, is excited about this year's show, which will feature flyovers by a four-ship F-15 formation, the T-38, T-1, C-17 and Wright B Flyer. 

This year's event will also feature a parachuting demonstration by the USAF Wings of Blue as well as musical performances by Kestin Howard, McGuffey Lane, and Wright Patt's own Band of Flight Systems Go.

Area high school drumlines will entertain guests as they enter the grounds and there will be a Kid's Zone children's play area with various activities.

"The importance of our Air Force heritage is monumental," said Egner.   "And it's great that we can open our base to the community to showcase that heritage."

TATTOO refers to a showcase of military pageantry and tradition that honors a service, base or unit.  The tradition stretches back to the 17th century during the reign of King William III of Great Britain. 
AFMC first hosted the Freedom's Call TATTOO in 2005, replacing the annual Wright Patterson Independence Day celebration.  In 2012, the event was cancelled due to weather and in 2013, it was cancelled due to sequestration.

"This is a family-fun oriented free event for everyone," said Egner. 

The gates open at 4 p.m. and will be capped off by a spectacular fireworks display at 10 p.m.

Freedom's Call TATTOO is a part of a series of events celebrated in the Miami Valley, including the Vectren-Dayton Airshow featuring the USAF Thunderbirds June 20 and 21, and the Hometown Heroes at the Fraze, featuring Get the Led Out, a Led Zepplin cover band. 

Additional information can be found at http://www.daytonsstarspangledcelebration.com/