Thousands of people turned out at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a military open house, a feel-good day for Hawaii families and a recruiting boost for the Air Force.

• More than 11,000 people came out to tour aircraft, see military gear, and visit dozens of hands-on booths.
• Airmen framed the day as a chance to show the local community what their mission looks like up close.
• Careers in aviation were a big draw, with organizers hoping to spark interest in the next generation of local kids.
• Two F-22s flew over, but a planned C-17 was pulled at the last minute.
• That C-17 was sent to Kauai instead, carrying emergency equipment after Hurricane Lowell.

Outlook: Recovery flights to Kauai will keep taking priority over ceremonial duties while storm cleanup continues.