AIRSHO 2004 TO FEATURE F-16, F-18 DEMONSTRATIONS AND B-1B FLYOVER

MIDLAND, Texas (September 22, 2004) – Complementing the historic aircraft of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), the FINA-CAF AIRSHO 2004 will feature a slate of distinctive modern military aircraft including a flyover by the B-1B Lancer and demonstrations by the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F-18 Super Hornet, Oct. 2-3, 2004, at Midland International Airport, Midland, Texas.

Pilots from the 7 th Bomb Wing from Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene , Texas , will fly the B1-B both days. The B-1B will also be on static display. A long-range strategic bomber capable of flying intercontinental missions without refueling, the B1-B currently performs a variety of duties including that of a conventional weapons carrier for strategic operations.

The B-1B's electronic jamming equipment, infrared countermeasures and radar location and warning systems complement its low-radar cross-section and form an integrated defense system for the aircraft. First delivered to Dyess Air Force Base in June 1985, with final delivery made May 2, 1988, the Lancer holds several world records for speed, payload and distance.

Flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon will be the Viper East F-16 Demonstration Team - one of six fighter demonstration teams sponsored by the Air Combat Command of the United States Air Force. The team is assigned to the 20 th Fighter Wing, 20 th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 77 th Aircraft Maintenance Unit at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina .

The F-16 is a multi-purpose aircraft capable of conducting a variety of missions including air interdiction, suppression of enemy air defenses, close air support and air superiority. It has been part of the United States Air Force inventory since 1979 and is flown by numerous allied nations. The F-16 will perform the Heritage Flight with the CAF's P-51 Mustang Gunfighter .

Flying the F/A-18 Hornet will be the U.S. Navy's Strike Fighter Squadron 125, nicknamed "The Rough Riders" from Lemoore , California . The Hornet is a multi-mission strike fighter that combines the capabilities of a fighter or interceptor with those of an attack aircraft or bomber. Proven to be what its designers intended - a highly reliable and versatile strike fighter, the F/A-18 has played important roles in the 1986 strikes against Libya as well as the Gulf War. The Hornet will participate in the Navy's Tailhook Legacy Flight alongside the CAF's World War II Naval fighters.

A number of other modern military aircraft will also be on static display including a C-5 Galaxy. The C-5 is one of the largest aircraft in the world. It can carry outsize and oversize cargo and can take off or land in relatively short distances. Ground crews can load and off load the C-5 simultaneously at the front and rear cargo openings. The Galaxy carries nearly all of the Army's combat equipment, including such bulky items as a 74-ton mobile scissors bridge to any theater of combat on the globe. The C-5 will be open for viewing to the public on both days of AIRSHO.

Other aircraft scheduled to be on static display include: EA-6B Prowler, HU-25 Falcon jet, AH-64 Apache helicopter, Blackhawk helicopter, HH-65 helicopter, T6II Texan and T-37 Tweet.

All modern military aircraft appearances are subject to change. Please call to confirm attendance of specific airplane.

For more information contact Tina Corbett at (432) 563-1000, ext. 2231 or (432) 638-3846.

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