MacDill Airfest Performers

Navy Blue Angels

A Blue Angels flight demonstration exhibits choreographed refinements of skills possessed by all naval aviators.

It includes the graceful aerobatic maneuvers of the four-plane Diamond Formation, in concert with the fast-paced, high-performance maneuvers of its two Solo Pilots.

Finally, the team illustrates the pinnacle of precision flying, performing maneuvers locked as a unit in the renowned, six-jet Delta Formation.

The team is stationed at Forrest Sherman Field, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, during the show season. However, the squadron spends January through March training pilots and new team members at Naval Air Facility El Centro, California.

B-25

In production from before U.S. entry into World War II through V-J Day, the approximately 9,815 B-25s built saw service in all theaters of war including Alaska, North Africa, China, Europe, and the Southwest Pacific. They were flown by the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) and U.S. Marine Corps, as well as the air forces of Britain, Canada, Australia, Russia, China, Brazil, and the Netherlands East Indies. Postwar, B-25s soldiered on in combat or other roles with the U.S. Air Force and the air forces of Canada, Indonesia,  and many Latin American countries.

The B-25 was designed as a medium bomber to operate from altitudes between 8,000 and 12,000 feet. Powered by two 1,700-hp Wright R- 2600 engines, the basic configuration stayed the same throughout production. Changes in armament improved both offensive and defensive capabilities through 75 mm cannons, up to 18 .50-caliber machine guns, and rockets. Some were modified to carry torpedoes, both standard aerial and glide versions. Tactics used in the South and Southwest Pacific included low-altitude strikes with strafing and skip-bombing against shipping and para-frag bombs against airfield targets. The B-25 also served as a photomapping platform and as an advanced trainer and fast transport.

(Courtesy of Living History Larry Kelley’s B-25 Panchito)

C-54

The C-54 was manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company and delivered first to the Army Air Corps in March of 1945 and later to the Navy as well. It was used for primarily for personnel transport but it’s most important mission was cargo transport, as demonstrated when it was used to airlift more than 1.7 million tons of supplies into East Germany during Operation Vittles from June 1948 through September 1949.

The Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation purchased Douglas C-54E #27370, the Spirit of Freedom, on Dec. 22, 1992 and began the restoration to her current state, including the creation of a Flying Museum and Memorial dedicated to the Berlin Airlift on her inside.

In May 1998, "Spirit of Freedom" undertook a 70 day European Tour to mark the 50th Anniversary of "Operation Vittles", the Berlin Airlift. During this trip, "Spirit of Freedom" was honored by visits from German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, and U.S. President Bill Clinton.

(Courtesy of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation)

F-15E Strike Eagle

The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. An array of avionics and electronics systems gives the F-15E the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather.

The aircraft uses two crew members, a pilot and a weapon systems officer. Previous models of the F-15 are assigned air-to-air roles; the "E" model is a dual-role fighter. It has the capability to fight its way to a target over long ranges, destroy enemy ground positions and fight its way out.

One of the most important additions to the F-15E is the rear cockpit, and the weapons systems officer. On four screens, this officer can display information from the radar, electronic warfare or infrared sensors, monitor aircraft or weapons status and possible threats, select targets, and use an electronic "moving map" to navigate. Two hand controls are used to select new displays and to refine targeting information. Displays can be moved from one screen to another, chosen from a "menu" of display options.

For air-to-ground missions, the F-15E can carry most weapons in the Air Force inventory. It also can be armed with AIM-7F/M Sparrows, AIM-9M Sidewinders and AIM-120 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) for the air-to-air role. The "E" model also has an internally mounted 20mm gun that can carry up to 500 rounds.

OTTO

Roger Buis flies OTTO The Helicopter with one of the most unique and versatile air show acts.

During OTTO’s daytime comedy show he entertains the crowds by blowing bubbles, playing with his yo-yo, racing around barrels and picking them up, shooting smoke in all directions, towing banners, and more all while interacting with the announcer.

P-51 Mustang

The P-51 Mustang is arguably the world's most famous fighter of all time. With its long range, superior speed, lethal weaponry and outstanding maneuverability, the Mustang has proved to be unequaled as an escort fighter. It was also an outstanding interceptor and ground attacker as well as reconnaissance aircraft. The first United States use of the Mustang in combat were A-36's and P-51 A's in the China-Burma-India theatre where the long range (escort) and superb ground attack capabilities came in useful. The first Merlin powered Mustang (P-51 B) saw combat with the 354th Fighter Group as escorts for the 8th Air Force December 1943. By February 1944, P-51's were credited with an average of 13 kills per 100 sorties; almost three times that for the P-47's and P-38's. Additionally the P-51 enjoyed a kill/loss ratio of almost 5:1. The fact that the Mustang remained in service with various Air Forces around the world well into the 1980’s is a testament to its abilities.

The flight demonstration is dedicated to the P-51 Mustang and its history as one of the most famous fighters of World War II. The demonstration allows the public to see firsthand the high performance maneuvering which allowed this remarkable aircraft to achieve such fame. The aerobatic routine, set to music includes low level maneuvers such as vertical rolls, barrel rolls, inverted pass, Cuban eight, loop, point rolls and tuck-under break to landing.

The P-51 will be piloted by Lee Lauderback at AirFest 09. Lee is currently, the chief instructor and demonstration pilot in the P-51 Mustang. Additionally, he is also one of the pilots for the USAF Air Force Heritage Flight Program as well as a civilian instructor for the Navy Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, MD where test pilot students and instructors fly the Mustang. Amassing in excess of 18,000 flight hours in all types of aircraft and helicopters, including well over 6,000 hours in Mustangs, Lee has also had a chance to fly the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Viper, and F/A-18 Hornet.

(Courtesy of Stallion 51 Cooperation)

SOCOM Jump Team

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Parachute Team is composed of volunteers from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and U.S. government civilians assigned to USSOCOM. These highly qualified members are selected for the team after a rigorous training program. Participation with the USSOCOM Parachute Team is in addition to their regular military duties, with training conducted during off duty time.

Formed in 1991, the USSOCOM Parachute Team represents the most elite of the United States armed services, its Special Operations Forces (SOF). Team members are highly skilled and trained in a variety of combatant and humanitarian missions. One of the many techniques used for clandestine insertion into denied areas of interest is the dangerous and difficult military freefall (MFF) operation.
The USSOCOM Parachute Team modifies the military aspects of MFF operations and provides graphic displays of intricate maneuvers and precision canopy control techniques. Jumps by the team may include carrying a flag or passing a baton while descending in freefall, all while wearing burning smoke canisters attached to their boots to allow viewers to see them better.

The team normally jumps from an altitude of 12,500 feet above ground level, freefalling approximately 2 miles, reaching speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour. This freefall can last up to one minute. During their freefall, the members of the team maneuver their bodies, like the flight surfaces of an aircraft, to form numerous aerial designs and formations in the sky. When the jumpers approach an altitude of 4,000 feet, they will break their formation and glide in different directions. As each team member reaches an altitude of 2,500 feet, they will begin deploying their parachutes. Once open, the members steer their parachutes and perform what is called "stacking." Stacking enables the jumpers to form up in the air as a group and land one behind the other, with precision accuracy.

The United States Special Operations Command is one of nine unified commands in the U.S. military's combatant command structure. The bulk of the command's 47,000 people are made up of Army Rangers and Special Forces (Green Berets); Navy Sea/Air/Land (SEAL) teams; Air Force combat controllers and commando pilots; and Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations forces.

The USSOCOM Parachute Team has appeared at numerous military and civilian airshows, sporting events at all levels (professional, college, high school) and various patriotic, civic and school celebrations throughout the United States. Members of the USSOCOM Parachute Team have established themselves as showmen, traveling ambassadors, and SOF recruiters for the Department of Defense.

All are proudly serving as "The Para-Commandos." of the United States Special Operations Command.

Super Decathlon

Join John Black and his Super Decathlon for a 10 minute acrobatic demonstration that includes: vertical roll with humpty bump on top, reverse Cuban 8, hammerhead with ¼ roll on up & down line; barrell roll, Cuban 8 (with Immelman turn around); outside loop and much, much more. John Black Super Decathlon Air Shows

T-6 Texan

The T-6 “Texan” was the most widely used advanced trainer in the world during WW II and the Korean Conflict. During WW II, almost every fighter or bomber pilot, whether single-engine or twin-engine, won his wings in a North American Trainer or AT-6. In gunnery and bombing practice; in formation and instrument flying, and; in coast patrol and semi-combat duty, the Texan proved its versatility.

Approximately 15,495, AT-6s were built between 1938 and 1945. The USAAF procured 10,057 AT-6s; some went to the Navy as SNJ’s and others went to more than 30 allied nations. In 1948, Texans still in the USAF service were re-designated as T-6s when the AT, BT, and PT aircraft designations were abandoned.

AirFest 09’s T-6 demonstration will be piloted by Bill Leff. Bill’s aviation career includes more than 30 years of corporate flying, several years as President of an internationally known corporate aircraft maintenance company, and flight instructor for Trans World Airlines. Today, he also does test flying for defense related research projects as well as initial and recurrent training in Aero Commander aircraft.

He has been in the air show business since 1976 and developed the Night show act in 1989. He has flown more than 170 different types of aircraft from warbirds to airline transport aircraft and has well over 20,000 hours of flying time, including more than 4,000 hours in the T-6.
Courtesy of Bill Leff AirshowsT-28

Audiences are in for a treat when Herb Baker and his T-28, Ditto, take to the sky. The T-28 is a former Navy aircraft carrier training aircraft that has been on the airshow circuit since the completion of a 4 year restoration in 1998. Herb and Ditto offer audiences a unique look at the capabilities of the T-28 with the help of a one-of-a-kind wing tip smoke system. Herb has been flying since 1960 and has more than 3,100 flying hours with more than 850 in the T-28. He has recently been a guest instructor at the US Navy and Air Force Pilot Schools, teaching students to fly the T-28.
The T-28 Trojan is a piston-engined military trainer aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy beginning in the 1950s. Although the Air Force phased out the aircraft out of primary pilot training by the early 1960s, continuing use only for limited training of special operations aircrews and for primary training of select foreign military personnel, the aircraft continued to be used as a primary trainer by the Navy (and by default, the Marine Corps and Coast Guard) well into the early 1980s.

T-28

The North American T-28 Trojan was a piston-engine military trainer aircraft used by the United States armed forces in the 1950s and into the early 1980s.

The largest single concentration of this aircraft was employed by the U.S. Navy at NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Florida in the training of student naval aviators.

The last U.S. Navy training squadron to fly the T-28 was VT-27, based at NAS Corpus Cristi, Texas, flying the last T-28 training flight in early 1984. Many T-28s were subsequently sold to private civil operators, and due to their reasonable operating costs are often found flying as warbirds today.

Triple Creek RC Club

Welcome to Triple Creek RC Club remote Control Flying Club of West Central Florida. We are a remote control flying club located just south of Tampa Florida.

We are flying off a 8 acre lot of beautiful flat clear land with no obstacles to inhibit your flying experience. We fly off a 350' x 35' asphalt runway with three 50' foot taxi ways. You are invited to come out and give us a try as long as you are a current AMA member.

You will find a great group of people to fly with. We are striving to be one of the premier flying sites in West Central Florida. The Triple Creek Club field is located in Riverview Florida. Just southeast of Summer Field. We would like to extend a warm welcome to anyone interested in learning to fly. Like most fields there are more flyers at the field on the weekends but stop by anytime to ask questions or get advise.

Virtual Army Experience

The U.S. Army’s Virtual Army Experience will be available for attendees at AirFest 2010. Individuals will have the opportunity to employ virtual interactive state-of-the-art military technology in a virtual terrorist mission. The high-tech, team-based experience immerses participants into operational roles of Soldiers.

The core of the 10,000 square foot VAE is the America’s Army: Special Forces (Overmatch) computer game, rendered with state-of-the-art Army training simulation technology to create a life-size, networked virtual world.

The VAE highlights key Soldier occupations, Army technologies, operating environments and mission profiles, within a fast-paced, action-packed, information-rich experience that immerses visitors in the world of Soldiering in the U.S. Army. Participants employ teamwork, rules of engagement, leadership and high-tech equipment as they take part in a virtual mission to capture a high value target.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet heroic Soldiers featured in America’s Army Real Heroes program, which tells the stories of Soldiers who have earned citations for bravery and valor.

The mission experience of the VAE provides participants with a clear insight into today’s high-tech Army. In the 20-minute experience, participants receive video briefings on their mission to execute the ground component of a raid on a terrorist stronghold. Next, they fall-in on six HMMWV simulators modeled on vehicles employed by Army Special Forces, and onto two covering positions where they work as a team. They employ light arms and TOW anti-tank missiles to defeat the enemy. Upon mission completion, participants receive a debriefing on their performance. 

Visit http://www.americasarmy.com/ for more information about the Virtual Army Experience.

(Courtesy of the U.S. Army)