JACKSONVILLE — A display of Arkansas military units will include fun and education for the entire family, the event coordinator said.
Little Rock Air Force Base will present the Military Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 17 at the base in Jacksonville, 940 Arnold Drive. Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m.
The expo, a first for the base, will serve as a free open house to what the base and other state-based military units accomplish.
“The purpose of the expo is basically to open the gates to our community,” said Major Jesse Klaetsch, expo coordinator. “We want to open it up so we can show the public what kind of assets and missions we do.”
Traditionally, the base held an annual air show, but because use of its runway is limited this year due to construction, the base decided on a different approach. Klaetsch said the base hasn’t held a community event since 2012, so in January 2015, preparation began on the expo.
“We want to make sure that we’re emphasizing that the reason we’re here is because the community is here, and they support us,” Klaetsch said. “It comes down to the community relationship that we have; the community is a key aspect that keeps this base running.”
Klaetsch said that this year, the base is limited in the kind of aircraft it can bring in and will have smaller aircraft that can land on short runways. The expo will highlight aircraft such as C-130s, helicopters from the National Guard and C-17 cargo aircraft.
“We’ll have these on the ground as displays for the public to look at,” Klaetsch said. “Some will be opened up for the public to look around and take a look at the flight deck.”
Because the National Guard has various units in the state, Klaetsch said, the base partnered with it for the expo for more military inclusion.
“The idea was reached between the National Guard leadership and our wing leadership here to find a way for them to showcase their stuff,” Klaetsch said. “Since we’re already doing this open house, it just made sense to open the doors for them, as well.”
Klaetsch said he hopes people learn something new about state-based military operations when they attend the expo.
“If one person can get an idea of, ‘Oh, this is how the National Guard helps me and protects me,’ that will be a win,” he said.
There will be a free kids zone available that will include face painting, a bounce house and other activities.
Event coordinators hope to see 50,000 people arrive at the base for the expo, Klaetsch said.
“One of the No. 1 priorities we have on base is the community itself,” Klaetsch said. “This is a way for us to say thank you. This is a way to open to the public to come in and see what their hard-earned tax dollars pay for.”
Expo attendees are allowed to bring service animals, bottled water and nonmotorized children’s wagons. Prohibited items include nonservice-dog pets, weapons and ice chests. Parking and entrance to the expo is free, although Klaetsch said some booths and activities may cost.
“We’re really excited to open the doors to the base, let people know what we’ve got going on and what missions, equipment and capabilities that the state has to offer for state emergencies and national defense,” he said.
For more information, visit www.rockinattherock.com/arkansasmilitaryexpo.com
Staff writer Syd Hayman can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or shayman@arkansasonline.com.