Decision Said To Save Over $2 Million

The open house traditionally held every other year at Joint Base Andrews just south of Washington, D.C. has been cancelled for 2014, according to a release from the base.

In a statement released on the Andrews website, officials say that, in accordance with the Department of Defense's fiscal year 2014 community outreach plan, the Joint Service Open House scheduled for May 2014, also known as the Andrews Airshow, has been cancelled.

"We will miss the interaction that JSOH allowed us to have with our friends in the community, but this decision will save more than $2 million in tax dollars," said Colonel Bill Knight, 11th Wing/Joint Base Andrews commander (pictured in USAF photo), "We are in the process of adjusting our strategies to ensure we have a robust outreach program within our local community to show them how important they are to us, because without their support, we would not be able to get our missions accomplished."

The decision comes after the Department of Defense released a plan in October that initiated a 45% reduction in its outreach activities, with a goal of saving an estimated $1 billion dollars over the next ten years. The Joint Service Open House cost approximately $2.1 million dollars of appropriated funds in 2012. A decision about possible future JSOHs will be made when the timing is appropriate.

FMI: www.andrews.af.mil