Joint Base open house will offer community closer look Published Feb. 13, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Ryan Throneberry Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is set to open its doors to the community for a very special weekend May 12 and 13 for an open house of epic proportions, celebrating more than 95 years of defending our nation's air, land and sea. The Department of Defense hosts open houses to enhance public awareness of the military's mission, equipment, facilities and personnel and to promote positive community relations. "This open house provides us with an opportunity for the surrounding community to come out and experience what warfighting capabilities are present at the joint base," said Lt. Col. Rich Ficken, JB MDL Open House Executive Director. Community members will be able to get a closer look at the joint base's warfighting capabilities and total-force integration. Every branch of service on base will be present to engage with the community and explain the way they fit into the 'joint base puzzle.' This year's line-up includes some high-flying spectacles sure to draw a crowd. The world-renowned Air Force Thunderbirds flying team will rip through joint base airspace in their trademark F-16s, performing the most daring maneuvers known to man. The Golden Knights, the U.S. Army's premier parachute team, will awe the audience with death defying stunts and acrobatics. Many talented civilian pilots will make the voyage to the joint base also strut their stuff in both vintage and modern aircraft. Static displays of history's most storied aircraft as well as today's cutting-edge platforms will be on display for visitor's viewing pleasure. "The joint base has a long history of engaging the community with open houses," said Heidi Stark, 87th Air Base Wing historian. The first air show on JB MDL was held in December of 1945. The most advanced aircraft of that age such as the P-38 Lightning, the P-51 Mustang and the P-59 Air Comet, the U.S's first jet fighter, were put on display for the general populace to admire. The last open house to be held at the installation was in 2008. Contact the Joint Base Public Affairs Office at 754-2104 for more information.