Offutt to host open house, air show in 2016 Published Dec. 8, 2015 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- After a one year hiatus, the Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show will make its return in 2016. The show is scheduled for July 30-31. "We're very excited to host an open house again," said U.S. Air Force Col. Marty Reynolds, 55th Wing commander. "This is a great way to showcase the amazing things our military members do as well as the capabilities of the world's strongest military force." Highlighting next year's air show will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team, who last performed at Offutt in 2010. Organizers expect attendance to be similar to 2014 when an estimated 300,000 turned out for the two-day event that featured the U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstration team. "The demonstration teams are always a big hit and we are very fortunate to have the Thunderbirds headlining our show next year," said Maj. James Lee, 2016 Defenders of Freedom air show director. In conjunction with the open house and air show, the 55th Wing will celebrate its 75th anniversary as a wing in 2016. Next year also marks the 50th anniversary of the wing's move from Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas to Offutt. The air show has been a regularly scheduled community event dating back to 1972 and is one of the few times the base is open to the public. "I think the Offutt air show is recognized as one of the must-see summer events in the greater-Omaha area," Reynolds said. "We hope everyone will circle the date and make plans to come out and join us." More information on the Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show will be posted as it becomes available to www.offuttairshow.com.