U.S. Air Force, NATO Chiefs Tattoo set for Oct. 6 Published Sept. 30, 2008 By AFDW Public Affairs ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. -- The 2008 NATO Air Chiefs Tattoo, themed "Securing Our Freedom," is scheduled for Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. on the U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Lawn at Bolling Air Force Base, District of Columbia. The event is open to Department of Defense identification card holders. Attire for the evening is business casual for military members and civilians. Business casual excludes jeans. A dress rehearsal for the military pageant will be held Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. on the ceremonial lawn and is also open to DoD ID card holders with "casual dress" allowed. Event coordinators ask the public to be in the stands by 6:45 p.m. both days. Parking Limited street parking is available on Brookley Avenue and also at the military personnel flight and post office parking lots. Handicap parking will be available in the lower lot of building 20. Expect parking lot closures at building 20 Oct. 6 beginning at 4:30 p.m. History The tattoo, which is held annually at Bolling, highlights troop excellence and readiness. The tattoo dates back to the mid-17th century British Army deployment to the Netherlands in which drummers were sent from the garrison to the towns at 9:30 p.m. each night to let soldiers know it was time to return to the fort. In the event of inclement weather, the tattoo will be canceled.