Due to anticipated deployments in the coming year, the Rhode Island National Guard has decided to cancel the 2019 Open House Air Show.
Major General Christopher Callahan released the following statement regarding the decision:
“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. 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. The volume, timing, and the particular trained skill sets of the more than 500 Soldiers and Airmen who will be away during the traditional timeframe of the Open House Air Show presents a unique challenge. Ultimately, we could neither compromise the training and support of those being deployed, nor the planning and conducting of our Open House Air Show. As such, we regrettably must forego the event in 2019. The RING is grateful for the tremendous support we continuously receive from Rhode Islanders, our friends, and neighbors. We thank you for your continued support of our Rhode Island Soldiers and Airmen during this next wave of mobilizations, and we look forward to opening our doors to the public once again for the 2020 RING Open House Air Show.”