AUSTIN, Texas -- Soldiers at Camp Mabry invited the public out this weekend for their annual open house and airshow.

• Soldiers demonstrated the intense rescues from Harvey 
• Demonstrations highlighted the role helicopters play in law enforcement
• Ppen house also serves as way to inspire younger generations

The two-day event featured various aircraft and military vehicles on site for families to look at and ask questions. Demonstrations highlighted the role helicopters play in law enforcement, public safety, and search and rescue.

Jeremy Lombardo has been in the army for 18 years. He's a pilot in the National Guard and often works on a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter.

"We work with Texas Task Force 1 on flooding. We worked with them during Hurricane Harvey," said Lombardo, who is a Chief Warrant Officer 2 in the Texas Army National Guard.

Lombardo had just returned from deployment in Kosovo, when he got the call to ride out the storm and prepare for rescues.

"We kind of followed the hurricane north and we traveled alone the coast doing search and rescue operations, looking for anyone that needs help," said Lombardo.

Soldiers demonstrated the intense rescues from Harvey to hundreds of families at Camp Mabry. The helicopter played a crucial role in saving lives, allowing soldiers to descend to the ground and carry flood victims to safety.

To servicemen and women, the open house acts as a way to reach out to the community and inspire younger generations.

"It's a great to say, 'Hey this is what I do. This is what I've done for many years.' and eventually hand it off to some of them,'" said Master Sgt. Michael Leslie.

For Lombardo, he says it builds confidence.

"They know we are an asset and we are there if they need our help," he said.