Spangdahlem Air Base's 2008 Open House Published July 2, 2008 By Staff Sergeant Matthew S. Bright 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Spangdahlem Air Base, home of the 52nd Fighter Wing, has been serving the U.S. military and the people of Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands since 1953. The Fighter Wing gained its new F-4 Phantom aircraft in 1971 and the F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1985. The A -10 Warthog was added to our arsenal in 1992; the F-4 Phantom was retired from service at Spangdahlem in 1994. Prior to the tragedies of September 11, 2001, Spangdahlem Air Base hosted Open Houses with great frequency. After that fateful day, the base was changed forever and the gates have been closed to our neighbors for far too long. In 2006 the base opened its doors to the local community in hopes of fostering greater understanding of the base's mission with our German friends. This July, the men and women of the Spangdahlem Sabers invite you to enjoy the second Open House in 7 years. The 2008 Open House will take place on Saturday, July 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. We hope to offer a look at our daily lives; see our aircraft, weapons load demos, bomb/missile displays; examine our Combat Weather equipment, aircrew life support display, dental bus, Security Forces weapons and our Explosive Ordinance Disposal robot. In addition to our aircraft and equipment, we will also offer traditional American food & drinks, live bands and an Elvis Presley impersonator. Upon arriving at the Contactor Gate, all visitors must pass through metal detectors. All personal effects will be checked for restricted items (please read below), and hands will be stamped verifying that you have passed through the security inspection before you will be allowed to board the shuttle busses to the Open House area. Additionally, all base personnel attending the Open House will pass through a security inspection area at the on-base parking and will be required to adhere to the same standards expected of our guests from off-base. Restricted Items: Pyrotechnics, firearms, coolers, glass bottles, knives, blades or sharp objects, weapons, paint, corrosive/explosive chemicals, pets (unless needed for assistance), bicycles, roller blades, skates/in-line skates, bikes and skateboards, backpacks/book bags/rucksacks. NOTE: All hand carried items (i.e. diaper bags, fanny-packs, collapsible strollers, cameras, camcorders, media bags, etc...) are subject to search. Authorized Items: Umbrellas, walking sticks, medicines that are required to be kept cold in a small cooler, purses/small bags that do not contain restricted listed above. Please check back often for updates of our displays and other events...we look forward to sharing a day in our lives with you.