USAF Approves Air Shows for 2022 | February 17th, 2022 |
 The blanket prohibition on DoD events with over 50 participants has officially been lifted for Air Force air shows/open houses in 2022. Earlier this week, Undersecretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones signed a memorandum that, “provide[s] preliminary approval of all Department of the Air Force Open Houses/Air Shows scheduled to proceed in calendar year 2022. This pre-approval is intended to facilitate preliminary logistics planning for the event, while retaining flexibility to adjust COVID-19 mitigation plans based on COVID conditions in the surrounding community and DoD and Air Force guidance in effect at the time of the event. This approval is contingent on the hosting command’s adoption of the attached COVID-19 Mitigation Plan.” As Undersecretary Jones indicated in her message, the 50-person limit on Air Force events had been an obstacle to many bases as they proceeded with planning for their air shows/open houses this spring, summer and fall. Bases will still need to develop a COVID mitigation plan and present it to the installation commander for review and approval. Air Force air show organizers must also ensure that participants and contractors have either proof of vaccination or documentation of a negative COVID test during the preceding 72 hours. But the Air Force-wide limitation of 50 participants in any Air Force event has been lifted, clearing the way for planning and execution of Air Force open houses through the end of 2022. | |