2024 Open House
Fort Indiantown Gap will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. The event will be held along Clement Avenue, at the Fort Indiantown Gap Community Club and on the southern portion of Muir Army Heliport.
The open house will include flyovers of military aircraft, static displays of military and emergency-response vehicles, military equipment, historical displays, live music and food trucks.
The event is free and open to the public.
Schedule of Events
9:45 a.m. - Access to event parking opens (drivers entering the Fort Indiantown Gap Main Access Control Point will be required to show a valid form of photo identification)
Complimentary shuttle buses will provide transportation for guests who are directed to the overflow parking area.
11 a.m. - Opening ceremony begins
11:15 a.m. - Flyover by Pennsylvania Air National Guard:
• One KC-135 Stratotanker from the 171st Aerial Refueling Wing
• Two MC-130J Commandos from the 193rd Special Operations Wing
11:30 a.m. - Entertainment by Guitars for Vets
11:30 a.m. - Aerial medical evacuation demonstration by the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s General Support Aviation Battalion
11:30 a.m. - Tours of Fort Indiantown Gap Training Support Center (buses providing transportation provided to and from TSC will load in the vicinity of Clement and Fisher avenues)
Noon - Miss Pennsylvania available for photos and autographs
12:15 p.m. - Aerial sling operations demonstration by the Pennsylvania Army National Guard’s General Support Aviation Battalion
1 p.m. - Pennsylvania National Guard Ambassador Demonstration Team exhibition
1:30 p.m. - Entertainment by the Enlisted Band
3 p.m. - Open House concludes
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What identification will I need to enter the installation?
A: The driver of your car will need a valid driver’s license to enter the installation.
Q: Can I be searched entering the base?
A: Yes, there will be an Explosive Detection K-9 team at the main gate conducting vehicle searches for the protection of the installation and personnel. If selected to be searched, you may decline, but then you will not be permitted to enter the installation.
Q: Can I carry my licensed concealed carry or open carry weapon on the installation?
A: No, licensed concealed carry or open carry weapons may not be on your person or in your vehicle while on the installation during this event.
Q: Where should I park?
A: There will be people directing you where to park on the day of the event. There will be several parking lots available in the vicinity of the Open House as well as overflow parking in another area of the installation with shuttles transporting attendees to and from the Open House area.
Q: If I have an emergency while on the installation, what do I do?
A: Call 911, tell them you are on Fort Indiantown Gap. Or get the attention of a roving police officer or security officer.
Q: Can I go to the Post Exchange (PX) and buy stuff?
A: No, only Active Military, National Guard personnel, Veterans and Employees may use the PX.
Q; Where is the Lost and Found?
A: Fort Indiantown Gap Police Station, building 7-74 Fisher Ave. is the Lost and Found.
Q: Can I fly my drone on base during the event?
A: Operation of privately own drones is prohibited on the installation by the FAA.
Participating Organizations
Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
If you are a veteran, stop by the DMVA Veterans Outreach Van! Accredited Veterans Services Officers will be on hand to answer questions and assist with applying for benefits. It’s important veterans know that they should never pay for assistance to apply for the benefits they earned in service to our nation.
Pennsylvania National Guard
Representatives from numerous Pennsylvania National Guard units -- both Army and Air -- will be on hand to display vehicles, equipment and weapon and discuss their units' missions.
171st Air Refueling Wing
The 171st ARW, based in Coraopolis, Pa., is planning to conduct a flyover featuring the KC-135 Stratotanker which provides the core aerial refueling capability for the U.S. Air Force. This unique asset enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. The KC-135 is also capable of transporting litter and ambulatory patients using patient support pallets during aeromedical evacuations. It features four turbofans, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, power the KC-135 to takeoffs at gross weights of up to 322,500 pounds. A cargo deck above the refueling system can hold a mixed load of passengers and cargo. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds of cargo.
Pennsylvania National Guard Safety Office
The Pennsylvania National Guard Safety and Occupational Health Office will be highlighting the 3R Program (Recognize, Retreat and Report) to communicate the dangers associated with unexploded ordnance (UXO) for anyone employed here, who trains here, who hunts or just visits Fort Indiantown Gap.
Pennsylvania National Guard CERFP
The Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Enhanced Force Package (CERFP) provides critical command and control and life-saving capabilities. The CERFP is comprised of Army and Air National Guard elements and responds when directed by the Secretary of Defense with Chief of the National Guard Bureau coordination and upon consent of the governor. The CERFP will be displaying their Decontamination Element, which provides mass casualty decontamination at the incident site expediting medical treatment of patients; Search and Extraction Element, which conducts casualty search and extraction in a contaminated environment and can lift and move heavy debris using ropes and chains; and their Medical Element (Air), which provides medical treatment to an array of patients by a team with a wide scope of medical expertise ranging from doctors and surgeons to EMTs and paramedics. The team will be demonstrating live how their debris removal capabilities and a medical mannequin they use to simulate a wide array of injuries.
Service Member and Family Support Directorate
The Service Member and Family Support Director (JFHQ J9) will present material from Family Programs Child & Youth, Soldier & Family Readiness Specialists, Personal Financial Counselors, and Military One Source. The J9 Survivor Outreach Services will also be hosting the Touch-A-Truck event.
The Child & Youth flyer offers resources for families and children. It has seven QR codes that provides information on different programs such as ‘United through Reading,’ which provides military members with the opportunity to record and save story-time moments for their families to enjoy. Another is ‘Our Military Kids’ that offers extracurricular activity grants to children, ages 3-18 of deployed National Guard, Reserve, or post-9/11 combat wounded, ill or injured veterans. They will also have a special project for the children to build something with assistance from their parents.
The Soldier & Family Readiness Specialist (SFRS) will be presenting flyers that include contact information for SFRS, Regional Social Worker, and Personal Financial Counselor personnel across the state. They will also have Military Share flyers for Pine Grove, Middletown, Lebanon, and Elizabethtown.
Finally, Military One Source will be providing resources and information for both the children and adults that include books related to deployments and information on the resources and tools available on militaryonesource.mil.
Association of the United States Army
The Association of the United States Army is a nonprofit educational and professional development association serving America’s Army and supporters of a strong national defense. AUSA provides a voice for the Army, supports the Soldier and honors those who have served in order to advance the security of the nation. The CSM James M. McDonald-Keystone Chapter represents and supports Soldiers, families, retirees, veterans and interested citizens in Central PA, surrounding Fort Indiantown Gap. The association's display will provide literature and links to support mechanisms as well as information on how to become a member of the AUSA.