Volk Field hosts open house

By Staff Sgt. Stephen Montgomery, 115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published August 22, 2010

Viper East F-16 demo pilot, Maj. Ryan "Rider" Corrigan, takes a moment to collect his thoughts, or perhaps say a brief prayer, moments before his performance at the Volk Field Open House Saturday, Aug. 21. Flying high performance jet fighters is a dangerous business, even in peacetime. Fighter pilots must train and learn how to extract and exploit every ounce of performance from these supersonic weapons. A demo pilot's job is to extract this maximum performance on a regular basis, very close to the ground, sometimes under low cloud ceilings, and the margin for error is razor thin. (U.S. Air Force photo courtesy Joe Oliva) (RELEASED)

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Viper East F-16 demo pilot, Maj. Ryan "Rider" Corrigan, takes a moment to collect his thoughts, or perhaps say a brief prayer, moments before his performance at the Volk Field Open House Saturday, Aug. 21. Flying high performance jet fighters is a dangerous business, even in peacetime. Fighter pilots must train and learn how to extract and exploit every ounce of performance from these supersonic weapons. A demo pilot's job is to extract this maximum performance on a regular basis, very close to the ground, sometimes under low cloud ceilings, and the margin for error is razor thin. (U.S. Air Force photo courtesy Joe Oliva) (RELEASED)

Volk Field honor guard team members Tech. Sgt. James Michaels, left, Staff Sgt. Robert Garrelts, center, and Master Sgt. Don Millbach present the colors at the 2010 Volk Field Air National Guard Base Open House on August 21, 2010. Despite inclement weather, the Volk Field Open House attracted approximately 3,000 visitors, 20 military and civilian aircraft, numerous vendors and aerial performers from across the country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman/Released)

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Volk Field honor guard team members Tech. Sgt. James Michaels, left, Staff Sgt. Robert Garrelts, center, and Master Sgt. Don Millbach present the colors at the 2010 Volk Field Air National Guard Base Open House on August 21, 2010. Despite inclement weather, the Volk Field Open House attracted approximately 3,000 visitors, 20 military and civilian aircraft, numerous vendors and aerial performers from across the country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman/Released)

1st Lt. James Brantly from the 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance AFB, Oklahoma, gives young aviation enthusiasts an up close look at the T-6 Texan II trainer during the Volk Field Air National Guard Base open house on August 21, 2010. Despite inclement weather, the Volk Field Open house attracted approximately 3000 visitors, 20 military and civilian aircraft, numerous vendors, and aerial performers from across the country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman)

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1st Lt. James Brantly from the 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance AFB, Oklahoma, gives young aviation enthusiasts an up close look at the T-6 Texan II trainer during the Volk Field Air National Guard Base open house on August 21, 2010. Despite inclement weather, the Volk Field Open house attracted approximately 3000 visitors, 20 military and civilian aircraft, numerous vendors, and aerial performers from across the country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Paul Gorman)

Volk Field range officer and F-16 pilot Capt. Wes Hoeper answers questions about the F-16 Fighting Falcon to attendees of the Volk Field Air National Guard Base open house on August 21, 2010. Despite inclement weather, the Volk Field Open house attracted approximately 3000 visitors, 20 military and civilian aircraft, numerous vendors, and aerial performers from across the country.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christen Bloomfield)

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Volk Field range officer and F-16 pilot Capt. Wes Hoeper answers questions about the F-16 Fighting Falcon to attendees of the Volk Field Air National Guard Base open house on August 21, 2010. Despite inclement weather, the Volk Field Open house attracted approximately 3000 visitors, 20 military and civilian aircraft, numerous vendors, and aerial performers from across the country.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christen Bloomfield)

An enthusiastic crowd lines the aircraft ramp at the Volk Field Air National Guard Base open house on August 21, 2010. Despite inclement weather, the Volk Field open house attracted approximately 3000 visitors, 20 military and civilian aircraft, numerous vendors, and aerial performers from across the country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christen Bloomfield)

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An enthusiastic crowd lines the aircraft ramp at the Volk Field Air National Guard Base open house on August 21, 2010. Despite inclement weather, the Volk Field open house attracted approximately 3000 visitors, 20 military and civilian aircraft, numerous vendors, and aerial performers from across the country. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christen Bloomfield)

Volk Field, Wis. -- Low clouds and uncertain weather didn't keep the crowds away as Volk Field opened its doors during its biennial open house and air show, giving the public a chance to see what the Air National Guard is all about.

Even with the weather as it was, approximately 3,000 visitors showed up to see the show that featured performers from across the country.

"It's a great way to foster the relationship with the community and to help them better understand what we do here," said Volk Field Director of Operations Lt. Col. Steve Dunai.

There was a Madison-based F-16 Falcon and a Milwaukee-based KC-135 Stratotanker as well as a static display by the 128th Air Control Squadron.

Building and growing the relationship with the local community was one of the key goals of the open house.

"We are proud to be located where we are and this is one way to give back to our neighbors," said Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Cullen, Volk airfield manager. "It's an affordable way to have fun and enjoy the day."

Another aspect of the open house was a fly-in for general aviation pilots and an aviation safety seminar hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. There were 145 pre-registered aircraft for the fly-in, some coming from as far as Milwaukee and Green Bay, but due to weather only 20 aircraft were able to make it in.

Some of the pilots flying in were there for the seminar, while others came for "the experience of landing on a military base," said Chief Cullen - something that few civilian pilots ever get to experience.

The air show featured both military and civilian performers and static displays, including the Viper East F-16 Demo Team, the 101st Airborne Parachute Team, a B-25 Mitchell Bomber, F-86 Sabre Jet and T-6A Texan II as well as displays by the Juneau County Dive Team and the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.

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