RI National Guard cancels 2019 Air Show

Crowds line up to board an aircraft at the Quonset Air National Guard flight line. File photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

WPRO News

There will be no Open House and Air Show in 2019 due to anticipated deployments involving hundreds of troops in the coming year, the Rhode Island National Guard announced on Thursday, although the show is anticipated to resume in 2020.

“Since the 1991 inception of the RING Open House Air Show, opening our doors to the public has been an annual highlight for our organization and its members,” said Major General Christopher Callahan, Rhode Island’s Adjutant General and commander of the National Guard.

“With this anticipated federal mobilization commitment in 2019, we have been presented with a difficult decision regarding our ability to safely and effectively conduct this public event,” Callahan said in a statement.

He said the Rhode Island National Guard has sent nearly 7,000 troops overseas since the attacks of September 11, 2001, with more than 500 soldiers and airmen expected to be deployed throughout 2019.

Helicopters ferry military vehicles at the 2017 Rhode Island National Guard Open House Air Show. File photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

 

 

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