Flooding forces cancellation of air show at Offutt Air Force Base

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. — Flooding has forced the Air Force to cancel the 2019 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show at Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha.

Missouri River floodwater fed by heavy rain and snowmelt has covered about a third of the base and damaged dozens of buildings. Officials say, however, that the units based at Offutt remain capable of fulfilling their missions.

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By Stephen Losey

The commander of Offutt's 55th Wing, Col. Michael Manion, said Tuesday evening that "it is obvious it will be some time before we can return to normal operations or have the capacity to host an event like an air show and open house."

The famed Air Force aerobatics team, Thunderbirds, was scheduled to be featured at the June 1-2 event.

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