Base restricts viewing of National Security Forum aerial demo Published May 14, 2009 By Carl Bergquist Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Each year, Air University's Air War College brings a cross-section of civilians from American society to Maxwell for the annual National Security Forum. The purpose of NSF is to acquaint those individuals with what the Air Force is doing and what it has planned for the future. Lt. Col. Stephen Spurlin, NSF director, said the program is important because it provides the private sector with a better understanding of the Air Force. He said a highlight of NSF week is the static displays and aerial demonstration presented for the benefit of NSF attendees to showcase current Air Force capabilities, and during that event, it is also important that attendees have complete and unfettered access to the statics displays and the aircrews with each aircraft. "The purpose of the NSF static displays is to provide one-on-one interaction between the NSF guests, AWC students and the air crew with each aircraft," he said. Lt. Col. David Gledhill, who handles the static displays and aerial demo for NSF, said the aerial demonstration will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 20 and several spots on the base provide good visibility for the event without interfering with NSF activities. Colonel Gledhill said due to Federal Aviation Administration regulations requiring a "show-box," or restricted area around the demonstration area, base members must stay east of Kelly Street when watching the events. He said while the base lakes and the Maxwell Softball Complex are outside of the "show-box," March Road that connects those areas to the rest of the base is not, and spectators going to those areas would be cut off from the base until conclusion of the aerial demonstration. "We encourage base members to come out and watch the demonstrations," he said. "The athletic fields behind the Officer Training School complex provide ample parking and good visibility and parking lots at the Maxwell Base Exchange and Commissary are two excellent locations to see the aircraft performing their maneuvers. Areas that are restricted from the general base population will have 42nd Security Forces Squadron patrols enforcing the restriction." Capt. David Clontz, 42nd Air Base Wing Operations Support Flight commander, said the wing would like to invite the base public to the aerial demonstration but can't due to FAA rules. "FAA restrictions preclude inviting the public to the demonstration. Basically, the FAA has told us such an invitation is off the table," he said. "Even the area where the NSF guests will be seated is going to be highly restricted in terms of their movement."