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Wright-Patterson gets set for Tattoo

Tattoo tonight at Wright-Patterson

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By By Kim Margolis, Staff Writer Updated 12:16 AM Friday, June 26, 2009

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — Think of the Air Force Materiel Command Freedom’s Call Tattoo as a block party.

A U.S.-military-sized block party.

It will feature military drills, Air Force aircraft, a technology exposition tent, the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight, a top country entertainer and fireworks during the fifth annual event on Friday, June 26.

“Tattoo has become something our local communities look forward to,” said Dave Egner, Freedom’s Call Tattoo director. “As we plan the event each year, we work to make it better than — and different from — the previous. We like to keep folks guessing.”

The Tattoo has long had a theme of bringing together the military community at WPAFB with the surrounding civilian community.

About 75,000 are expected to attend this year.

The best way to explain all the event has to offer might be to start in the air and end on the ground.

What’s in the air?

• Heritage and modern aircraft will fly. The lineup will include a B-25 Mitchell, C-47 Skytrain, P-51 Mustang, B-1 Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress, C-5 Galaxy, C-130 Hercules, F-15 Eagle, an F-16 Fighting Falcon two-ship, a NASA ER-2 and more.

The aircraft come from the WWII era and the current era, as the Tattoo this year is focusing on bringing together the so-called “Greatest Generation” of WWII together with current military members.

Narration about WWII and current craft will take place during the flights.

“There’s activity in the air as the story is being told on the ground,” said Air Force spokeswoman Kathleen Lopez.

• The Liberty Jump Team, a World War II military exhibition parachute team and the 82nd Airborne Jump Team.

• And, at the end of the day, about 10 p.m., the aircraft will give way to a huge fireworks show.

What’s on the ground?

• The technology exhibit, which debuted last year, intends to give visitors hands-on experience with current Air Force technology, most of which is researched and developed at Wright-Patt. The exhibit boasts nearly 5,000 square feet of roaming space, including 12 exhibitors with whom visitor may interact.

• Two new additions to the exhibit are an F-35 pilot training aid and a National Aeronautics and Space Administration astronaut suit. There also will be an F-16 cockpit simulator and a 14-foot trailer of interactive displays.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see things the way pilots see them in many instances, Lopez said.

“People get to see a lot of the military capabilities they may not in their lifetime get an opportunity to see.” Lopez said.

• Rounding out activities on the ground will be country recording artist Aaron Tippin, scheduled to perform at 9 p.m.

CONTACT this reporter at (937) 225-2216 or kmargolis@DaytonDailyNews.com.

About Aaron Tippin

COUNTRY RECORDING ARTIST Aaron Tippin and his band, the Stemwinders, will perform at 9 p.m.

TIPPIN BEGAN PERFORMING for service members on a Bob Hope USO tour to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War in 1990.

HE EARNED HIS commercial pilot’s license at age 17. He also is a multi-engine instrument aviator, a helicopter-rated pilot and a certified aircraft mechanic.

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