AFMC Freedom's Call Tattoo 2009 to showcase many new attractions

Published May 7, 2009
By Kathleen A.K. Lopez
Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- There's a saying that there are no extraordinary people. Rather, there are ordinary people who are placed in extraordinary situations.

The concept of that adage can be applied to Air Force Materiel Command's Freedom's Call Tattoo, whose singular additions this year are combining into an extraordinary event, by including a NASA ER-2 flyover, Liberty Jump Team and 82nd Airborne Jump Team parachute jumps, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performances, the Honor Flight RV, a NASA astronaut suit, an F-35 Lightning II interactive pilot trainer display and the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service's new X-1 Supercar.

"The intent, when Freedom's Call Tattoo began in 2005, was to showcase our air and space forces' capabilities, and to recognize our Airmen past and present," said Dave Egner, Freedom's Call Tattoo director. "The event drew an estimated crowd of 30,000 patrons."

In just five years, Freedom's Call has transposed itself into an extraordinary event and a top-notch medium for showcasing Air Force capabilities that many people might otherwise not see in person during their lifetime. Last year, an estimated crowd of 75,000 people attended the event.

"Tattoo was so well-received its first year, that every year since we have worked hard to make it even more dynamic and exciting to our patrons, while still holding on to the core charter of Tattoo."

Core Tattoo events are time-honored recognitions of excellence, enhanced by multiple aircraft flyovers and music by the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight.

"These things are the heart of Freedom's Call Tattoo," Mr. Egner said. "But, Tattoo has evolved into an extraordinary medium with which we can share so much more with the general public, and give them a closer look at their military's capabilities."

In 2008, Tattoo saw the addition of a technology exposition tent. The expo enables an up-close look at, and some hands-on interaction with, a number of airpower technologies that are developed for the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Tattoo also began the inclusion of a major country entertainer in its music line-up last year when The Charlie Daniels Band played an hour-long concert. Gold and platinum country music recording artist Aaron Tippin will perform this year.

New to Tattoo in 2009:

NASA ER-2 - Earth Resources-2, or ER-2, is a high-altitude airborne science aircraft. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, acquired its first ER-2 in 1981; the second was obtained in 1989. These aircraft replaced the previously-used U-2 Dragonfly for use as flying laboratories. The ER-2 is based at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Liberty Jump Team - The Liberty Jump Team is a World War II military exhibition parachute team dedicated to the memory and honor of the men and women of WWII and other foreign conflicts. The team performs static-line parachute jumps in WWII uniforms and equipment, and jumps from a vintage C-47 Dakota troop transport aircraft.

82nd Airborne Jump Team - The All-American Freefall Team is the official representative of the famed 82nd Airborne Division, located at Fort Bragg, N.C. The team represents the Division during military functions, exhibitions, special events and competitions, demonstrating individual, formation and other precision freefall techniques. The 82nd Airborne Division is the largest parachute force in the free world. The team will jump from a C-130 Hercules aircraft.

U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team - The Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team is the traveling component of the USAF Honor Guard, which is the official ceremonial unit of the U.S. Air Force. The team inspires Air Force awareness among military and civilian audiences through its complex, high-precision drill routine. During the Air Force Honor Guard's 60-year history, the Drill Team has performed in every state of the Union and many countries abroad.

Honor Flight RV - In May 2004 the National World War II Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. The median age of WWII veterans is now 78 years. Honor Flight was initially conceived in 2004 by Earl Morse, a physician assistant and retired Air Force captain, to honor veterans he took care of for 27 years. Honor Flight's sole purpose is to fly WWII veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honor their sacrifices. To date, Honor Flight has flown more than 800 WWII veterans to the memorial. The RV will have accompanying spokespersons available to answer questions.

NASA astronaut suit and interactive F-35 pilot trainer display - A National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA, astronaut suit and an F-35 Lightning II interactive pilot trainer display are two new features of Tattoo's 4,800 square-foot technology exposition tent. The expo will enable an up-close look at, and some hands-on interaction with, these items, along with a number of airpower technologies that are developed for the Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service's X-1 Supercar - The Air Force X-1 is a Ford Mustang car converted to resemble the inside of an F-16 Fighting Falcon. By putting Air Force technology into an everyday sports car, the vehicle serves as an educational tool about Air Force career fields. Brand new to the U.S. Air Force Recruiting Service, the X-1 officially debuts June 1. There will be an interactive trailer display, as well.

For more information on Tattoo, log onto http://www.wpafb.af.mil/tattoo .
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X-1 Tattoo