SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- The Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing held an open house event for the community in Sioux City Iowa, June 10, 2017. Members of the community viewed static displays of U.S. Air Force, Navy and Army aircraft, enjoyed food and drinks from vendors and had a chance to participate in a 5k run on the runway.
According to Lt. Col. Eric Kilburg who helped organize the event, approximately 7500 members of the community attended the open house.
“It was a chance for us to open up our gates and let the community come in and see our small town Air Guard base and all we do,” said Kilburg.
Keith Kempers, a local vendor said that it was awesome and he never expected to see so many people at the free event. He also mentioned the how beautiful the show was and how nice all the equipment was.
The event housed aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor, C-5 Galaxy, A-10 Thunderbolt II, KC-135 and the new F-35 Lighting II.
Kilburg said the 185th creates working relationships with other squadrons during training missions and operational missions fighting terror and this created an opportunity to invite them to Iowa to enjoy a weekend and show off their aircraft.
More than just airplanes were on display at the open house as the local police and fire department had vehicles on display. The Iowa Army National Guard supplied vehicles and a U.S. Army CH-47F Chinook Helicopter for spectators to tour.
185th Personnel are also looking to organize a full airshow in the upcoming years according to Kilburg.