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Davison Army Airfield hosts open house

Photos and story by Jody T Fahrig
Pentagram staff writer

Davison Army Airfield hosted its 2nd annual Open House Saturday, featuring events such as a 5K race, Military Police working dog demonstrations, a helicopter rappel demonstration and static and freefall parachute jumps.

The purpose of the open house was to provide the local community with an idea of the mission and capabilities of Davison and the 12th Aviation Battalion, said Lt. Col. Laverm Young, 12th Aviation Battalion commander.

"The 12th Aviation Battalion, along with the D.C. National Guard and other regional flight detachments here came up with a plan which was basically modeled after other airshows we have seen but without a lot of the moving parts," said Young.

Members of MDW Engineer Company's 1st platoon showcase one of their technical rescue capabilities during a rappeling demonstration Saturday at the Davison Army Airfield Open House. (Photo by Bradley A. Rhen)	Following the rappel demo, the MDW Engineer Company's 1st platoon "Tunnel Rats" re-pack the rappel ropes. In an actual combat mission, the ropes would be cut from the helicopter and left behind, said Staff Sgt. Fred Brown, the Engineer Company's 1st platoon leader.

"What we think is more important is for the public to come out here and meet the air crews and the people that work here at Davison and get a feel for what we do here," Young continued.

Davison's principal missions are to operate a "Class A" Army Airfield on a 24-hour basis, maintain a readiness posture in support of contingency plans, provide aviation support for the White House, U.S. government officials, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, and other government agencies as directed by the commanding general of the Military District of Washington; provide aircraft and personnel in support of combat readiness proficiency flights for assigned aviators; and exercise operational control of this airspace.

Sgt. Jason Crape (right), a rappel master with the MDW Engineer Company, inspects a rappeller's harness prior to demonstration.	Spc. Kenneth Noe, a rescue technician with the MDW Engineer Company, has his harness inspected prior to the rappelling demonstration.

Only four types of aircraft fly out of Davison: the UH-1 Huey helicopter, the UH-60 Black Hawk, the Civil Air Patrol Cessna 172, and the C-12.

The Military District of Washington Engineer Company's first platoon, nicknamed the "Tunnel Rats," put on a special demonstration of their abilities to rappel from helicopters at varying heights.

"The MDW Engineer Company is a technical rescue unit assigned to the National Capital region," said Staff Sgt. Fred Brown, 1st platoon leader.

"We can vertically penetrate almost any collapsed building or confined space and rescue people successfully. Today we plan to show the community some of our capabilities and get in some good training at the same time," Brown continued.

The open house also featured static and freefall parachute exhibitions by members of the 82nd Airborne Division, music performed by The 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps, and a performance by the U.S. Army Drill Team.

Spc. Courtney Anderson, a Fort Belvoir military working dog handler, shows a crowd the "heel" command with the help of Ronnie, a military working dog.	A member of the 82nd Airborne Division touches down after a freefall parachute demonstration Saturday.

Young said he expected about 4,000 people to attend the event.

"This is our second year, and we've tried to expand it from last year," he said. "It's been a big success for us. We plan to continue doing this every year."