HomeNews

News Search

F.E. Warren holds annual open house

By Senior Airman Abbigayle Williams, 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs / Published July 22, 2019

Members of the Trotters team showcase their skills during Fort D.A. Russell Days, the annual open house on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 20, 2019. The Trotters perform each year during Fort D.A. Russell Days. The open house gives the community a peek into the history of the base and its role within the nation’s defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Breanna Carter)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 12

Members of the Trotters team showcase their skills during Fort D.A. Russell Days, the annual open house on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 20, 2019. The Trotters perform each year during Fort D.A. Russell Days. The open house gives the community a peek into the history of the base and its role within the nation’s defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Breanna Carter)

An ax thrower demonstrates proper technique to a visitor during Fort D.A. Russell Days, July 19, 2019, on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. The annual open house invites the community and visitors to tour the base to learn about its history and its current ICBM deterrence mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Abbigayle Williams)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 12

An ax thrower demonstrates proper technique to a visitor during Fort D.A. Russell Days, July 19, 2019, on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. The annual open house invites the community and visitors to tour the base to learn about its history and its current ICBM deterrence mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Abbigayle Williams)

Jan Manning, Fort DA Russell Days volunteer, hammers an 'S' hook into iron for a blacksmith demonstration at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 19, 2019. These presentations allow visitors to feel like they’re taking a trip back to the early days of the base. The annual open house invites the community and visitors to tour the base to learn about its history and its current ICBM deterrence mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Abbigayle Williams)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 12

Jan Manning, Fort DA Russell Days volunteer, hammers an 'S' hook into iron for a blacksmith demonstration at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 19, 2019. These presentations allow visitors to feel like they’re taking a trip back to the early days of the base. The annual open house invites the community and visitors to tour the base to learn about its history and its current ICBM deterrence mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Abbigayle Williams)

A Wyoming Widow Maker gunslinger performs at Fort D.A. Russell Days, July 19, 2019, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. The Wyoming Widow Makers come from Laramie, Wyo., and demonstrate gun safety, as well as, an old western shootouts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley N. Sokolov)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 4 of 12

A Wyoming Widow Maker gunslinger performs at Fort D.A. Russell Days, July 19, 2019, at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. The Wyoming Widow Makers come from Laramie, Wyo., and demonstrate gun safety, as well as, an old western shootouts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley N. Sokolov)

Direction signs welcome visitors at the enterance of Fort D.A. Russell Days July 19, 2019, on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. The annual open house invites the community and visitors to tour the base to learn about its history and its current ICBM deterrence mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Abbigayle Williams)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 5 of 12

Direction signs welcome visitors at the enterance of Fort D.A. Russell Days July 19, 2019, on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. The annual open house invites the community and visitors to tour the base to learn about its history and its current ICBM deterrence mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Abbigayle Williams)

Staff Sgt. Curtis Shannon, 90th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, acts as non-compliant perpetrator during a K-9 exhibition at Fort D.A. Russell Days on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 19, 2019. The open house gives the community the opportunity to see the history behind the base and its role within the nation’s defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Terry Higgins)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 6 of 12

Staff Sgt. Curtis Shannon, 90th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, acts as non-compliant perpetrator during a K-9 exhibition at Fort D.A. Russell Days on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 19, 2019. The open house gives the community the opportunity to see the history behind the base and its role within the nation’s defense. (U.S. Air Force photo by Terry Higgins)

Senior Airman Cedric Delagarza, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron missile handling team technician, shows a military vehicle to members of the local community during a tour of Uniform-01, a Minuteman III ICBM launch facility trainer at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 20, 2019. These tours allow the community an opportunity to see how a launch facility operates. Fort D.A. Russell Days provides the public an opportunity to celebrate and learn about the base’s rich history. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Abbigayle Williams)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 7 of 12

Senior Airman Cedric Delagarza, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron missile handling team technician, shows a military vehicle to members of the local community during a tour of Uniform-01, a Minuteman III ICBM launch facility trainer at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 20, 2019. These tours allow the community an opportunity to see how a launch facility operates. Fort D.A. Russell Days provides the public an opportunity to celebrate and learn about the base’s rich history. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Abbigayle Williams)

Continental Army Revolutionary War reenactors "fix bayonets" and charge British Redcoats during a demonstration at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 20, 2019 as part of the annual Fort D.A. Russell Days. D. A. Russell Days allows the base to showcase the current mission while also giving visitors a realistic glimpse of the base’s history. This year marks the 25th iteration of the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Glenn S. Robertson)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 8 of 12

Continental Army Revolutionary War reenactors "fix bayonets" and charge British Redcoats during a demonstration at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 20, 2019 as part of the annual Fort D.A. Russell Days. D. A. Russell Days allows the base to showcase the current mission while also giving visitors a realistic glimpse of the base’s history. This year marks the 25th iteration of the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Glenn S. Robertson)

Staff Sgt. Curtis Shannon, 90th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, demonstrates Rio’s K-9 capabilities during an exhibition at Fort D.A. Russell Days on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 19, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Terry Higgins)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 9 of 12

Staff Sgt. Curtis Shannon, 90th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, demonstrates Rio’s K-9 capabilities during an exhibition at Fort D.A. Russell Days on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 19, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Terry Higgins)

British Army Revolutionary War reenactors fire on Continental Soldiers during a demonstration at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 20, 2019 as part of the annual Fort D.A. Russell Days. D. A. Russell Days allows the base to showcase the current mission while also giving visitors a realistic glimpse of the base’s history. This year marks the 25th iteration of the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Glenn S. Robertson)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 10 of 12

British Army Revolutionary War reenactors fire on Continental Soldiers during a demonstration at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 20, 2019 as part of the annual Fort D.A. Russell Days. D. A. Russell Days allows the base to showcase the current mission while also giving visitors a realistic glimpse of the base’s history. This year marks the 25th iteration of the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Glenn S. Robertson)

Continental Army Revolutionary War reenactors fire on British Redcoats during a demonstration at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 20, 2019 as part of the annual Fort D.A. Russell Days. D. A. Russell Days allows the base to showcase the current mission while also giving visitors a realistic glimpse of the base’s history. This year marks the 25th iteration of the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Glenn S. Robertson)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 11 of 12

Continental Army Revolutionary War reenactors fire on British Redcoats during a demonstration at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 20, 2019 as part of the annual Fort D.A. Russell Days. D. A. Russell Days allows the base to showcase the current mission while also giving visitors a realistic glimpse of the base’s history. This year marks the 25th iteration of the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Glenn S. Robertson)

Revolutionary War reenactors march into position for a demonstration at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 20, 2019 as part of the annual Fort D.A. Russell Days. D. A. Russell Days allows the base to showcase the current mission while also giving visitors a realistic glimpse of the base’s history. This year marks the 25th iteration of the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Glenn S. Robertson)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 12 of 12

Revolutionary War reenactors march into position for a demonstration at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., July 20, 2019 as part of the annual Fort D.A. Russell Days. D. A. Russell Days allows the base to showcase the current mission while also giving visitors a realistic glimpse of the base’s history. This year marks the 25th iteration of the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Glenn S. Robertson)

PRINT | E-MAIL
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --

The annual open house known as Fort D.A. Russell Days marked its 25th anniversary this year, running from July 19-21, 2019, on F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo.

Paula Taylor, Fort D.A. Russell Days founder and base museum curator, works every year to bring the open house to the community.

“This is our 25th anniversary and I have a vested interest in the event and activities,” said Taylor. “After the (Thunderbirds) air show moved off base, we no longer had an open house.”

Taylor continued, saying the commander at the time requested she expand her living history event into an open house and create what became Fort D.A. Russell Days.

As a way for the base to give back to the community, the three-day event is free to the public and held in conjunction with Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Fort D.A. Russell Days gives the public a chance to see historical buildings and experience the various missions of F. E. Warren AFB throughout the years.

“My family comes out here every year,” said JoAnna Dareling, open house spectator. “We have a lot of fun during the events and my kids love the horse rides.”

Dareling continued by saying the open house is a good opportunity for her and the family to see what the Airmen do throughout base and the mission of F.E. Warren AFB.

Reenactors offered a glimpse into the past through historical presentations and attendees got the chance to view re-enacted battles and cowboy shootouts.

Additionally, F. E. Warren groups came out to provide demonstrations, including the military working dogs from 90th Security Forces Groups and a tour of a training launch facility from maintainers.

The open house was made possible due to the Airmen throughout the wing and members of the local community.

Security Forces increased security throughout the base to keep visitors and residence safe during increased traffic from the event. Also, civil engineering worked to set up parking sites and the event grounds.  

The 25th Anniversary will come to a close as The Thunderbirds air show is held over F.E. Warren AFB on July 24th, marking their return to our skies.