Practice Air Show

Paul Hays from Omaha, Neb., gives a thumbs-up in the cockpit of a C-17 Globemaster on the Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., on July 18. The practice air show is held the Friday before the scheduled 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show that draws more than a hundred thousand visitors to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released).

Practice Air Show

Eleven-year-old Aaron McClellan, from Lincoln, Neb., stands at the stairs leading to a B-1 Lancer cockpit at the practice airshow July 18, at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The Make-A-Wish foundation along with Wounded Warriors and other special needs organizations team up with Team Offutt to give and exclusive airshow experience one day prior to the scheduled weekend event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released).

Practice Air Show

Tech. Sgt. Jamie Foehrweiser, from the 55th Intelligence Support Squadron, walks in front of a C-17 Globemaster during at the practice air show at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., July 18. The Extrodinary Family Member Program with the Make-A-Wish foundation, Wounded Warriors and other special needs organizations team up with Team Offutt to give and exclusive air show experience one day prior to the scheduled weekend event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released).

Offutt hosts VIP guests for practice air show

Published July 18, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake
55th Wing Public Affairs

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Team Offutt hosted members of the Wounded Warrior Foundation, Make-A-Wish-Foundation, Exceptional Family Member Program and individuals with special needs for a practice air show July 18.

"The intent of the event is to help facilitate viewing of the air show to individuals and their immediate families where the identified child or adult has an illness or condition with severity that would preclude them from attending the regular admission days of the air show ," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Trisha Loede, practice air show special needs coordinator.

This show has been a tradition at Offutt for two decades and offers a unique perspective for its deserving guests.

"The practice show began back in 1994," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Heath Woockman, practice air show coordinator. "The attendees are treated to front row seats and this year they witnessed acts such as the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor demonstration team and the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team."

In fact, all official air show scheduled acts performed for the onlookers.

Mackenzie Cartwright, a 15-year-old Make-A-Wish-Foundation member, has been living in the Omaha area for four years and said this was her first time watching the show.

"I love watching the planes fly," said Mackenzie who has heart disease. "My favorite act so far has been the bomber."

Don't miss out on this act and many others at this weekend's long anticipated show.

"This year's show is bigger with more static displays, several exciting acts and a great kids area complete with a bouncy house," said Woockman, a Crofton, Nebraska native. "There will be plenty of vendors, so come hungry. The wing and community have really pulled together to make this a spectacular event. "

The official 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show is scheduled for July 19-20. Gates will open at 9 a.m., with shows expected to start around noon.

For information on hours, parking, frequently asked questions and much more visitwww.offuttairshow.com or like the air show Facebook page at www.facebook.com/theoffuttairshow or the Offutt AFB Facebook page at www.facebook.com/team.offutt.

Editor's Note: The B-52 Stratofortress will not be on static display during this year's air show due to maintenance issues.