Vienna base open house is Saturday

VIENNA — Displays of modern and historic military aircraft and equipment, entertainment by the Air Force Reserve’s Reserve Generation Band and a runway demonstration of a 400 mile-per-hour jet car are among the events scheduled for Saturday’s open house at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station.

For the first time in 22 years, the Youngstown Air Reserve Station will be opened to the public as part of the celebration of the Air Force Reserve’s 60th anniversary. The open house is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Air Reserve Station, located at 3976 King-Graves Road, is home to the Air Force Reserve’s 910th Air lift Wing, the Navy Reserve’s Operational Support Center and the Marine Corps Reserve’s Landing Support Equipment Co.

The installation, with nearly 2,000 civilian and military personnel, has an estimated $115 million annual impact on the area’s economy.

Base officials anticipate upwards of 50,000 people will attend the open house, the first event of its kind since 1986.

There will be free on-base parking, with shuttles between parking areas and activities.

In addition to static displays of Air Force, Marine and Naval Reserve equipment, the open house will include food and beverage concessions, performances by local entertainers, appearances by local media personalities and team mascots, and unprecedented access to flight line and hangar areas, said Air Force Reserve Capt. Brent Davis.

The open house is “our way of saying thank you to the community for the support it has provided us over the years, said Col. Karl McGregor, 910th commander.

alcorn@vindy.com