‘First class’ military event free at Pioneer Park Published June 2, 2009 By Lee Anne Hensley Hilltop Times staff HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Our Nation's Defenders Showcase kicked off at Pioneer Park June 1 with an opening ceremony attended by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. The Air Force Week Salt Lake City 2009 event was hosted by Col. Calvin Williams, 75th Air Base Wing vice commander. "Our capitol city is honored to be one of only three cities nationwide to host Air Force Week this year," Mayor Becker said in his opening remarks. "Air Force Week is an extraordinary opportunity to meet the dedicated men and women in the United States Air Force. Today, here in Pioneer Park, you will be able to take part in a hands-on experience with Air Force equipment, new military displays, hear the United States Air Force Band (Max Impact), see the precision of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and Drill Team, see the aerobatics of the Air Force Academy falcon mascot and witness the protection skills of the U.S. Air Force military working dogs." If the list of attractions offered at Pioneer Park from June 1 to June 3 seems impressive, Colonel Williams explained why so much planning went into this free, all-day event. "We do it first class," he said during the opening ceremony. "For example, we brought you an F-16!" An F-16 Fighting Falcon painted in the scheme of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team is one of many static displays around the park. Other displays are provided by local and national military branches other than the Air Force to demonstrate the military's joint force relationship, as well. "This is about more than just the United States Air Force, this is about joint forces," Colonel Williams said. "This event would not have been possible without the support of our sister services. When General Schwartz talks about our (Air Force) mission to 'Keep the Promise,' he is not only talking about keeping the promise to our Airmen and to our country, but also to our sister services. This event is about communicating the sacrifices and the accomplishments, not of just the Airmen, but of all of our services." The Utah Army National Guard set up a rock climbing wall that accommodates four climbers, Utah sailors from the U.S. Navy were on hand to answer questions, and the Utah Air National Guard teamed up with its Army counterparts in providing a full display of its new Joint Service Coordination Committee tent, a self-contained communication center for community disaster response. The Air Force Space Command Public Affairs Office from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., was also present to provide information to the public about how the command provides a free essential service every day that most may not know about. "Anyone who has a receiver, whether it is a GPS or other navigation system, gets their satellite support from the U.S. government," explained Peterson AFB Public Affairs Officer Daniel Wade. "Our group controls the satellites, and we are here today to educate the public about who we are and what we do." The 775th Civil Engineering Squadron Emergency Management Group from Hill Air Force Base was also present to educate the public about the high-tech gadgets it uses to assess natural, chemical and biological disasters. "Each county has a National Incident Management System, and we serve the Hill Air Force Base community," said Senior Airman Dan Farrell, adding that they also work with local agencies as well. Any science-fiction fan would enjoy looking at the gadgets on the group's display table, such as the APD-2000 radiation detector and the obligatory Level A suit. The Airmen from the 775th CEG and 147th Reconnaissance Wing from Houston, Texas, who traveled here to provide support for the 775th CEG, will be around to demonstrate the equipment and answer questions. More technical gadgets are available at the U.S. Air Force's Inspire Tour mobile movie trailer equipped with F-22 and cargo-drop video game simulators on the outside and with interactive displays in the air-conditioned interior. The 53-foot movie theater trailer houses a 6-foot-by-4-foot movie screen featuring an Air Force movie in digital surround sound and visitors can also look through night vision goggles mounted to the trailer's walls to see what soldiers see on the ground at night. The 75th Security Forces Squadron from Hill AFB provides displays of the various weapons it uses and trains Airmen to use, such as the M249 light machine gun and the M203 grenade launcher. The 75th SFS military working dog unit also provides demonstrations of its "deployable weapons" for the crowd to see as the canine Airmen go into action. "I ask you to tell someone (about the event at Pioneer Park), to bring someone and be a part of this because it is going to be an exciting time. We will also have recruiters on hand to answer any questions anyone might have about the military," Colonel Williams said. The displays at Pioneer Park are open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., with music entertainment provided by the contemporary USAF band Max Impact throughout the day on Tuesday, and food stands on hand throughout all events. This three-day event is one of more than 30 events going on during Air Force Week Salt Lake City this week. "The first five days of Air Force Week is about bringing the Airmen to the community and the last two days will be about bringing the community to the Airmen, which is our open house and air show," Colonel Williams said.