Joint Service Open House Air Show at Andrew's Air Force Base

Andrews Air Force base is the official "Home of Air Force One." Andrews is best known for its special air mission to transport senior government and military leaders of the United States.

Every year the general public gets a rare opportunity to get a closer look at the advanced capabilities of our United States military services. The public is invited to attend the the annual Joint Service Open House Air Show at Andrews Air Force Base. Admission is free.

Because of security concerns and limited parking, guests were not permitted to park in Andrews. Although, there were hundreds of cars parked along the outside perimeter of the Air Force base.

Shuttle buses run frequently from FedEx Field parking lots and the Branch Avenue Metro station. Check for delays or cancellations caused by weather or other circumstances by calling 301-981-4600.

If you do decide to attend the air show, make sure to bring sunscreen and water. On a sunny day you can actually see the sun's heat waves radiate Andrew's concrete tarmac. My skin was pink in under an hour.

The Joint Service Open House Air Show features the Thunderbirds, the Golden Knights, and other exciting aerial and ground attractions. This is a must attend for any fan of aviation!

next last

first previous

"The Golden Knights have left the aircraft."

See you on the ground ...

2044 views

U.S. Army's Golden Knights Parachute Team descending on Andrew's AFB, Maryland

High in the sky over Maryland, the U.S. Army's precision parachuting team a.k.a("The Golden Knights")descend on a crowd of tens of thousands of spectators at Andrew's Air Force Base, Maryland during the Joint Service Open House.

1824 views

Golden Knights' History:

The STRAC or Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team, which was originally conceptualized by Brigadier General Joseph Stilwell. The original STRAC team consisted of 13 military parachutists. This unofficial unit competed successfully in parachute...

1922 views

Golden Knights parachutist displaying POW-MIA flag during descent

The Golden Knights are the best of the best: hand picked paratroopers from the United States Army's Airborne Division, a paratrooper's usual tenure with the Golden Knights lasts three years.

2030 views

Inverted colors for Golden Knights' 50th Anniversary.

This paratroopers' parachute reads "1959 2009 50th" and it's colors are the reverse of the other Golden Knights' chutes. For those wishing to become one of the few, the Golden Knights hold an annual tryout and selection program by which qualified Army...

2127 views

One of the Golden Knights soaring with the Maryland flag; Andrew's AFB, Maryland

At a rather steep "angle of attack" this United States Army parachuter displays the Maryland State flag which, coincedentally, sports the same colors as the Golden Knights: black and gold. As seen during the Joint Service Open House (Air Show)over...

1901 views

The Golden Knights are consummate professionals; experts in fact.

When they are not jumping, these nascent Golden Knights learn the team's history, memorize over 13 pages of show narration verbatim, and also receive public affairs and public speaking orientations. At the culmination of this process, the remaining...

1768 views

Straight-on view of the Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor, bad guys: you have been warned.

Interesting combination of beautiful and scary, the Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that...

2370 views