News>Hurlburt Field welcomes public for open house
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Robert Cademartori, son of Tech. Sgt. Allison Cademartori, contract specialist from 1st Special Operations Communications Squadron, stands in line after getting his face painted to resemble spider man during the Team Hurlburt Open House at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 27, 2012. Team Hurlburt?s Open House gave the public an inside look at the 1st Special Operations Wing and some of the other units located at Hurlburt Field. Ground displays of several types of Special Operations aircraft including the AC-130U Spooky Gunship and the CV-22 Osprey, as well as various other types of specialized military equipment from across base were featured. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Williams)
Brennan Boyle, son of Master Sgt. Gisele Boyle, from 1st Special Operations Maintenance Operations Support, slides down the bouncy slide during the Team Hurlburt Open House at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 27, 2012. The Open House gave the public an inside look at Hurlburt Field?s many missions and allowed Team Hurlburt to show appreciation to the local community for their continued support to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Williams)
Gates Chipser, son of Brett Chipser, gets a close up look at a vehicle mounted weapon during the Hurlburt Field Open House at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 27, 2012. The Open House gave the public an inside look at Hurlburt Field?s many missions and allowed Team Hurlburt to show appreciation to the local community and provide families an activity that members of all ages can enjoy. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Williams)
The Hurlburt Field First Sergeants group cooks hotdogs for the Team Hurlburt community during the Hurlburt Field Open House at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 27, 2012. Team Hurlburt?s Open House gave the public an inside look at the 1st Special Operations Wing and some of the other units located at Hurlburt Field. Ground displays of several types of Special Operations aircraft including the AC-130U Spooky Gunship and the CV-22 Osprey, as well as various other types of specialized military equipment from across base were featured. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Williams)
The Fort Walton Beach High School Junior ROTC presents the colors during a drill show they put on during the Hurlburt Field Open House at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 27, 2012. The Open House gave the public an inside look at Hurlburt Field?s many missions and allowed Team Hurlburt to show appreciation to the local community for their continued support to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Christopher Williams)
Tech. Sgt. Joseph Hepler, a combat controller from the Special Tactics and Training Squadron, demonstrates equipment during Hurlburt Field’s Open House at the flightline at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 27, 2012. The Open House gave the public an inside look at Hurlburt Field’s many missions and allowed Team Hurlburt to show appreciation to the local community for their continued support to the base. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman 1st Class Hayden K. Hyatt)
Daisy Grace Crawford, daughter of Landon Crawford, a hydraulics technician with 1st Special Operations Maintenance squadron slides down a bouncy house slide at the Open House on Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 27, 2012. Team Hurlburt’s Open House gave the public an inside look at the 1st Special Operations Wing and some of the other units located at Hurlburt Field. Ground displays of several types of Special Operations aircraft including the AC-130U Spooky Gunship and the CV-22 Osprey, as well as various other types of specialized military equipment from across base were featured.
(U.S. Air Force Photo/ Staff Sgt. John Bainter)
Several static aircraft sit as displays at the Open House on Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 27, 2012 Team Hurlburt’s Open House gave the public an inside look at the 1st Special Operations Wing and some of the other units located at Hurlburt Field. Ground displays of several types of Special Operations aircraft including the AC-130U Spooky Gunship and the CV-22 Osprey, as well as various other types of specialized military equipment from across base were featured.
(U.S. Air Force Photo/ Staff Sgt. John Bainter)
Families check out a Special Operations HUMVEE display during Hurlburt Fieldís Open House at the flightline at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 27, 2012. The Open House gave the public an inside look at Hurlburt Fieldís many missions and allowed Team Hurlburt to show appreciation to the local community for their continued support to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)(Released)
Col. Jim Slife, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing welcomes guests to Hurlburt Fieldís Open House at the flightline at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 27, 2012. The Open House gave the public an inside look at Hurlburt Fieldís many missions and allowed Team Hurlburt to show appreciation to the local community for their continued support to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)(Released)
Senior Airman Joe W. McFadden, 1st Special Operations Public Affairs, asks a child a question during Hurlburt Fieldís Open House at the flightline at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 27, 2012. The Open House gave the public an inside look at Hurlburt Fieldís many missions and allowed Team Hurlburt to show appreciation to the local community for their continued support to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Vanessa Valentine)(Released)
by Airman 1st Class Benjamin D. Kim
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
10/27/2012 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla, -- Guests from the public ate from food vendors, played games and took a look inside the 1st Special Operations Wing at the Hurlburt Field Open House at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Oct. 27.
The open house included military aircraft and vehicle static displays, food booths and performances by The Emerald Gold Band while children were entertained with bouncy castles, friendly and furry mascots as well as various games for prizes. The all-day event welcomed families from the public and surrounding communities of the base.
"There are a lot of fun things to do with the kids, that's for sure," said Rick Davenport, a retired Air Force veteran.
Different units from Hurlburt Field also displayed equipment such as protective gear, communication equipment and weapon displays to inform the public of how they support the special operations mission.
"Awesome--it really is, I didn't know you [these military members] did all this," said Bruce Berry, a real estate investor. "It's not every day you get to see these things--it's the stuff that keeps you free, you know?
Don Amunds, country commissioner of Okaloosa County, gave Col. Jim Slife, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, a signed proclamation of military support from the local community.
"The freedom and security that the citizens of the U.S. enjoy today are the direct result of the bloodshed in the past and the continued diligence given by the U.S. armed forces over the history of our great nation," Amunds said. "Now, therefore, the board of county commissioners does hereby proclaim Oct. 27, 2012, Team Hurlburt Day in Okaloosa County."
While the open house provided a diversion for the weekend, the primary focus was to show Hurlburt Field's appreciation of the public's support as the Airmen continue their important missions.
"Hurlburt field is the Air Force's most deployed installation," Slife said. "For us to be able to do that mission and be deployed as much as our Airmen are, we couldn't do that without the support of our local community and all our neighbors and friends from around the area."
