MOSES LAKE, Wash.— -- To mark the 50th Anniversary from the day the U.S. Air Force presented the keys of Larson Air Force Base to the Port of Moses Lake, officials hosted an Open House for the local community on July 1.
More than 2,800 members of the local community walked around the Grant County International Airport and toured different aircraft, both military and civilian up-close.
In addition to viewing the aircraft static display, there was also a classic car show, food, vendors, and music.
“This was more a thank you to the community,” said Rich Mueller, Port of Moses Lake event manager and director of facilities and operations. “What started out as an event with one airplane and a little ceremony, turned into to this successful event that was free to the community and showcased what we do here.”
The 62nd Airlift Wing flew a crew out to Moses Lake earlier that day to setup a static display before the gates opened at 10 a.m..
Once the gates opened, members of the community were allowed to board the C-17 Globemaster III and see the aircraft as well as view the cockpit and see what members from the 446th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron do when training.
“It was an absolute honor to showcase our wing’s mission to the Moses Lake community,” said Col. Leonard Kosinski, 62nd AW commander. “All the support this community provides for us day and night, helps support our warfighters by fine tuning our skills here to be more effective across the globe.”
As the day drew to a close, members of the local community were able to attend a ceremony commemorating the 50th Anniversary followed by a hangar dance.
“Everything went better than I could have expected,” Mueller said. “The community response was fantastic, the weather was perfect, and everyone looked like they had a good time."
At the closing ceremony, Port of Moses Lake board of director members were allowed to give a few words, as well as the 62nd AW commander.
“I am extremely grateful for the partnership we [the 62nd AW] has with the City of Moses Lake and the community,” said Kosinski. “We do a lot of training here at Moses Lake to prepare us for combat operations and without the support of Moses Lake, we wouldn’t be able to deliver safe and reliable global airlift.”