2008 Tattoo Program

21st Annual Langley Tattoo

Tattoo is a unique event featuring the ACC Heritage of America Band, the Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg, and the 1st Fighter Wing's F-22 Raptor and F-15 Eagle. It is an adventure in time travel, reminding both military and civilian audiences of the contributions and sacrifices made by those who served the nation in Air Corps brown and Air Force blue. 

Words and music, drill and ceremony, aircraft, fireworks, and dialogue all intertwine tracing the growth and development of the world's premier Air Force.

About Tattoo

The Tattoo ceremony carries forward a military tradition that traces its roots back to the Netherlands and the British Army of William the Third. Some 300 years ago, when King William's troops were housed in Dutch villages, drummers were sent through the village streets to call the soldiers home from the inns where they were enjoying the evening's entertainment.
 
The drummers would signal local innkeepers that "beer call" was over. The Dutch words for "turn off the taps" were "doe den tap toe." But the troops heard only "tap toe" which in time was shortened to "Tattoo."  As the custom grew, drums were joined by fifes and other instruments, and soon full bands played for the garrison. The military tattoo was born!

Tattoo Videos

Tattoo Photos and Graphics

This Year's Tattoo

Celebrate the Virginia Peninsula 2008 support of more than 225 years of America's military history.  Air Combat Command and the 1st Fighter Wing will conduct their 21st annual ACC Air Tattoo at Langley Air Force Base's Memorial Park, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. 
 
This year's Tattoo is the first major revision since Tattoo began in August 1987. The 75-minute production remains an emotional, yet often humorous and always stirring combination of words and music, sound and light, honoring America's Airmen, past and present. 

This unique event features the ACC Heritage of America Band, the Fifes and Drums of Colonial Williamsburg, and the 1st Fighter Wing's F-22 Raptor and F-15 Eagle. It is an adventure in time travel, reminding both military and civilian audiences of the contributions and sacrifices made by those who served the nation in Air Corps brown and Air Force blue. 

Integrated into Tattoo's words and music, drill and ceremony, are aircraft, fireworks, and dialogue that trace the growth and development of the world's premier Air Force.

Tattoo is produced jointly by Headquarters Air Combat Command and the 1st Fighter Wing.

Make the 21st Annual Langley Tattoo a family affair.  Bring chairs or blankets.  Guests without military ID must enter through the LaSalle gate. Performances start promptly at 7 p.m.

Map and Traffic Pattern

Tattoo Maps and Traffic Pattern