Col. Jon A. Roop, 11th Wing commander, and Navy Capt. John Sears, Naval Support Washington commanding officer, give opening remarks during the Inaugural Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Open House July 4. The open house was a collaborative effort that offered the general public an opportunity to meet and interact with the men and women of the armed forces. The open house marked the first time the bases were opened to the public since Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Gina M. O’Bryan)
Senior Airman Peter Ising, U.S. Honor Guard Drill Team, signs an autograph for Airman Basic Ryan Lucas, a cadet with the Civil Air Patrol, during the Inaugural Joint Base Anacostia Bolling Open House July 4. The United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team is the travelling component of the Honor Guard and tours Air Force bases worldwide, showcasing the precision of today’s Air Force to recruit, retain and inspire Airmen for the Air Force missions. The Honor Guard is a selectively manned unit with more than 210 ceremonial guardsmen and support personnel assigned. Organizationally, the Honor Guard consists of three ceremonial flights, made up of colors, bearers, and firing party-qualified personnel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sean Adams)
Cliff Hangarter, Boy Scouts of America Troop 424, gives 5-year-old Patrick and 7-year-old Shelby Harrison hot dogs during the Inaugural Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Open House July 4. The open house is a collaborative effort that offers the general public an opportunity to meet and interact with the men and women of the armed forces. The event is the first time that the bases were opened to the public since Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Gina M. O’Bryan)
Allen Vizzutti, trumpet player, performs alongside the Airmen of Note, a component of the U.S. Air Force Band, during the Inaugural Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Open House July 4. The United States Air Force Band’s mission is to enhance morale, esprit de corps and retention in the Air Force, plus strengthen the reputation of the Air Force as a good neighbor and as a respected professional organization charged with part of the responsibility for national security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sean Adams)
The New York Voices, a vocal jazz quartet, sing to a crowd July 4 at the Inaugural Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Open House. The open house was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Air Force and Navy that offered the general public an opportunity to meet and interact with the men and women of the armed forces. The base opened the event to the public for the first time since Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sean Adams)
Visitors for the Inaugural Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Open House were able to watch the fireworks display from across the Potomac River on July 4. The Inaugural Joint Base Anacostia Bolling Open House is a collaborative effort between the U.S. Air Force and Navy that offers the general public an opportunity to meet and interact with the men and women of the armed forces. The event is the first time that the bases were opened to the public since Sept. 11, 2001. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sean Adams)
by Airman 1st Class Susan Moreno
11th Wing Public Affairs
7/7/2009 - BOLLING AFB, D.C. -- Two of the National Capital Region's premier military installations teamed up and opened their gates to the surrounding community for the Inaugural Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Open House July 4.
According to Maj. Tyson Willis, Inaugural JBAB Open House project officer, there were "well over 8,000 people in attendance," with more than 200 personnel from the 11th Wing and 100 Navy personnel working the event.
"The Navy contributed time, security, volunteers and entertainment," he said. "Every unit on this base was somehow involved with this event, there was no unit left untouched."
More than 400 hours of planning over the course of 18 weeks ensured visitors had the opportunity to view live performances by the Airmen of Note, the Marcus Johnson Project, Jacques "The Saxman" Johnson, the New York Voices, Allen Vizzutti and the U.S. Navy Commodores, as well as the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team and the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill Team.
"I cannot think of a better place to be on July 4," said Marcus Johnson as he headed into his final performance. "I look forward to coming back next year."
The event not only offered live entertainment, but food, moon bounces, water slides and a rock wall, making it a day of fun, family-oriented activities.
Vendors were busy setting up well before the gates opened to the public at 1 p.m.
"We've been here getting ready since about nine o'clock this morning," said Tech. Sgt. Chris Orbits, Air Force District of Washington ground safety manager and Green Knights Motorcycle Club, Chapter 20 president. "We brought 750 bratwursts and 250 hot dogs to feed about 1,000 people."
Sergeant Orbits explained that the money the Green Knights made at the open house would go toward charity events such as replacing flags on the graves at Valley Forge, DOD retirement home events, and motorcycle rides honoring fallen police officers to help their children with college tuition.
Volunteers from the 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron began setting up their booth offering face painting, ice cream, funnel cakes, soda and watermelon at about 9:30 a.m.
"Most of the proceeds are going to go toward squadron morale functions, and another 10 percent will go to charity," said Master Sgt. Kevin Moneace, 11th LRS. "It couldn't be better being out here on Independence Day. We're really glad the public came out today."
Other vendors used the event as a way to gain experience in service.
"This is my first time doing something like this," said Kris Lukas, 11-year-old Boy Scout troop 424 member. "This has been a lot of fun."
Some Airmen who weren't working the booths were working security.
"I adopted a philosophy a long time ago that for law enforcement, you're always on duty," said Airman 1st Class Derek White, 11th Security Forces Squadron. "I'm glad to be here to help people when they need help."
The 11th SFS had 11 bike patrols and four golf cart patrols in addition to conducting several other security functions during the event.
"I believe this was a successful joint base mission that was safe, secure, and fun for the whole family," said Major Willis.
Col. Jon A. Roop, 11th Wing commander, agreed.
"The Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Open House was a huge success," he said. "It gave us a chance to showcase the wing's mission to the base community, our joint base counterparts, and the surrounding community as we joined forces with our Navy partners to accomplish a common goal, plus, it was a lot of fun!"
Navy Capt. John Sears, commanding officer of Naval Station Activity Washington, added: "It was great to work closely with our Air Force counterparts and be able to invite the public to the open house," he said. "The weather cooperated, the music was great. Both drill teams looked magnificent and added to the patriotic nature of the day and to the 'joint-ness' of the event."
The open house wrapped up with a fireworks display over the Potomac River in clear view of Capitol Hill and the Washington Monument.
