For the Gazette
The Wyoming National Guard Open House, held the Wednesday of Cheyenne Frontier Days, spotlights various military personnel, equipment and teams ? such as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Leap Frogs, the latter of which will actually be jumping into the event at 1:30 p.m.
Hosting the free community event during CFD also allows people from around the world to view missions and capabilities from a variety of entities.
In addition to hosting Wyoming C-130, UH-60, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and other tactical equipment, the agency will be bringing in aviation assets from various organizations to include the U.S. Air Force Academy Glide Team, the Civil Air Patrol, Augusta Westland’s AW-139 Helicopter, a University of Wyoming King Air, weather mapping and predicting equipment, vintage military trucks and much more.  There will also be bouncy houses for children and food vendors on site.
“We’ve been planning the open house since last fall. It takes a great deal of planning to get everything to fall into place, but the outcome is well worth it,” said Capt. Nils Lorenz, open house coordinator and a pilot with the 187th Airlift Squadron, Wyoming Air National Guard. “It’s always great to thank the Cheyenne community for their support, but it’s just as rewarding to showcase what we do to folks around the country who may not know. One of the best parts is seeing kids running around with huge smiles while they climb into equipment they might otherwise never get to see. It’s definitely an experience and worth the trip.”

The Wyoming National Guard’s tie to Cheyenne goes back decades and was the impetus behind the annual open house.
“This is a show-and-tell opportunity for us to show appreciation for the relationships and support the Cheyenne community gives to the Wyoming National Guard throughout the year,” said Col. Paul Lyman, 153rd Airlift Wing commander.
This year, the open house will be held July 26 from 11 a.m. ? 3 p.m.
Only shuttle bus traffic will be allowed on the base due to security and parking restrictions. Shuttle buses will leave continuously from the Frontier Mall’s north side,
between Dillard’s and Sears, beginning at 10:45 a.m., and from CFD Park. The last bus to the open house will leave at 2:45 p.m. The mall is located at 1400 Dell Range Blvd. Buses at CFD Park can be boarded near the park’s main entrance.
Vehicles with handicapped stickers may enter the main gate at 217 Dell Range Blvd., from the east direction only by making a right-turn onto the base. Vehicles heading west on Dell Range Blvd. will not be authorized to access base. Pedestrian foot traffic will also be allowed at the main gate.
All visitors must bring a valid ID. No weapons-including pocket knives, coolers, or containers will be allowed on the base. Security personnel may search all bags.
Folks who call Cheyenne home and those who may be visiting for the first time are encouraged to attend so that members of the Wyoming National Guard may say thank you for the support shown to our military.