JBA Air Show: It's Here! Published Sept. 16, 2015 By Tech. Sgt. Robert Cloys 11th Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. -- The 2015 Joint Base Andrews Air Show has arrived and with it comes many changes to normal base operation. Friday, Sept. 18 kicks off the JBA Air Show with a full program open to Department of Defense cardholders and special invitees only. Saturday, Sept. 19, JBA will open it's gates to the public as a way of saying "thank you" to the community, the state and the National Capital Region for all their support. "Attendees will get the chance to see the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, and the United States Special Operations Command jump team Para-Commandos, just to name a few," said Maj. Jim Crum, air operations director for the events. "We're hoping to see the entire community come out when the gates open at 9 a.m." Guests will experience aerial demonstrations and learn more about the military personnel and equipment JBA uses to carry out the missions here. Among other commemorations, the Joint Base Andrews Air Show is the culmination of many weeklong activities in the National Capital Region, to include the Air Force's Birthday Week celebration, which runs from Sept. 14-19. The Air Show will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Naval Reserves. While there will be a full show rehearsal on Friday with gates opening at 9:00 a.m., the Friday show will be limited to DoD cardholders as well as special invitees. We encourage all DoD cardholders to attend the Friday show. There will be special parking on base both days for DoD cardholders and their guests on the East Side of base. No general admission tickets are required to see the show. Attendance is free and open to the public. Special access seating is available for purchase, but show center will be open and visible to all attendees for free. What you need to know about DoD-Only Day: The DoD-only day of the 2015 JBA Air Show on Sept. 18 is open to valid ID DoD-cardholders and their guests and requires any form of standard issued military ID that would grant access to the installation on a normal day. Personnel with a valid DoD credential can escort up to 10 personnel, in the same vehicle as the cardholder, on to the base. On DoD-only day Air Show attendees should follow instructions of security forces and posted signs to the designated parking area on the east side of base where they will be shuttled to the flightline. The pedestrian entrance will be located at C Street. Getting to the Air Show Sept. 19: Saturday, Sept. 19 the 2015 JBA Air Show is open to the public. Metro usage is highly encouraged. Riders of the Green Line can use free shuttles from Branch Avenue Metro Station. Riders of the Blue or Silver Lines may go to Morgan Boulevard Station or Largo Town Center and walk to FedEx Field. No public parking is available on Joint Base Andrews. Free public parking is available with shuttles to the show at FedEx Field and Branch Ave Metro Station. The shuttles will be running inbound to the show from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Shuttles will run continuously for guests returning to Branch Avenue Metro Station and FedEx Field from 9:00 a.m. until shortly after the show is over and all guests have departed the base. Disabled visitors will have designated parking areas available with proper parking certification. For FedEx parking, those requiring Americans with Disabilities Act parking access are encouraged to use Morgan Boulevard entrance to the arena. What DoD ID cardholders need to know about escorting guests to the Air Show: Personnel with a valid DoD credential can escort up to 10 personnel. Non-DoD personnel must be in the same vehicle as the DoD cardholder and park on the east ramp. Valid ID cardholders walking can escort 10 personnel through the pedestrian entry on Arnold Street; visitors must remain with escort. Personnel without DoD ID cards will be directed to FedEx or Branch Avenue Metro Station. Closures during the 2015 JBA Air Show: Both the Exchange and the Commissary will be closed Sept. 18 and 19 to make parking available for Air Show workers. Pharmacy hours will remain unchanged. Traffic Pattern Changes on JBA: For safety purposes Security Forces will have many detours to be followed for those driving on base. Please follow the instructions at the Traffic Control Points and they'll ensure members still have access to the show, housing and the hospital. Prohibited and Authorized Items at the Air Show: Guests will not be able to bring food but water in clear containers may be brought. Food and beverages will be available for purchase as well as free Hydration Stations where free water will be available. Families with small children will be allowed to bring a small diaper bag/kit with snacks, formula, etc. Drones and radio scanners will not permitted at the Air Show or on the installation. The public is reminded that although the District of Columbia legalized marijuana this year, its use is still against federal law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Federal law enforcement agents may arrest anyone for possession of marijuana on federal property, which includes military bases. The THC contained in marijuana is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, and not permitted on base. A longer list of prohibited and authorized items can be found at http://www.andrews.af.mil/library/2015airshowfaqs.asp. This list is not all-inclusive. Any illegal items, or substances, and items perceived to pose a threat will not be allowed. Please contact the 11th Wing Public Affairs Office at 240-612-4428 with any questions. The most current information can be found on our Facebook, Twitter and website.