Air Show canceled

The Rhode Island National *uard (RIN*) announced Wednesday morning that ³due to health and safety concerns stemming from the COVI'-19 pandemic,´ the 2020 Open House Air Show will not take place.

The event, which was scheduled for June 27-28 in Quonset, was canceled as a precautionary measure in the fight against the spread of coronavirus.

Though the event was still four months away, the decision to cancel was made to ³focus RIN* activities on protecting the health and safety of our fellow Americans,´ the RIN* said.

Major *eneral Christopher

Callahan released the following statement regarding the decision

“The cancellation of the 2020 RIN* Open House Air 6how does not come without disappointment,”

0ajor *eneral Christopher Callahan said in a statement. “The Open House Air 6how is an opportunity to open our doors to the public and highlight the work our service men and women do to protect our state and nation each day.

'uring this pandemic response, your Rhode Island National *uard

has been mobilized to fight against the spread of the virus, training civilian medical personnel, staffing various call centers, distributing food and necessities to the most vulnerable, and performing a number of other critical functions. As such, our resources need to be acutely focused on the mitigation of the spread of this virus while remaining ready for our mission as the primary combat reserve of the Army and Air )orce. We thank you for your continued support of our Rhode Island 6oldiers and Airmen.”

This marks the second consecutive year the Air 6how has been canceled as last year’s show was called off due to a high number of deployments.