On Friday, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson opened the gates early for families with special needs and disabled children allowing them a sneak peek at the biennial Arctic Thunder Open House 2012. The events included an all-star lineup, featuring the U.S. Air Force's Thunderbirds F-16 Flight Demonstration Team, the U.S. Army's Golden Knights Parachute Team and many other civilian and military performers. This award-winning show displayed Army and Air Force equipment our deployed warriors use to defend our nation.