HAMPTON, Va. (AFNS) –
Hampton Roads Air Force Week began here April 18 with an opening ceremony at Hampton University.
The date chosen for the event's kick off was also the anniversary of the historic Doolittle Raid, occurring on this day in 1942.
Moments into the ceremony, a fly-over by a B-25 Mitchell, the aircraft involved in the World War II raid over Japan, brought applause from the audience as well as the official party, including congressional leaders and the Hampton Roads mayor.
A second fly-over followed, this time by a P-51 Mustang, an aircraft flown by Tuskegee Airmen of the 332nd Fighter Group during World War II.
Next, Molly Joseph Ward, the mayor of Hampton Roads, read and handed over the Air Force Week proclamation to Brig. Gen. Mark A. Barrett, the 1st Fighter Wing commander at Langley Air Force Base, Va.
Air Force week activities will include a joint airpower demonstration, live concerts, night air demonstrations, fireworks and more. Air Force week will culminate with the Langley AFB open house and airshow April 24 through 26.
Dardinia Joseph, a 17-year-old Hampton University student, was in attendance for the opening ceremonies. As she sat in the stands, she got to meet a U.S. Air Force Academy cadet and get information about the Academy. She talked to Cadet Ryan Kerns, a junior who also is a falcon handler and showed Ms. Joseph his falcon, Havoc.
"This is like a rock show and there is so much that is cool to see," Ms. Joseph said. "I didn't know there were so many great things to see about the Air Force."
"I invite all of you as my personal guest to Langley Air Force Base," said General Barrett to the audience on Hampton University's campus, referring to the base's AirPower over Hampton Roads open house on April 24-26. "Tell mom. Tell dad. Tell the kids. Bring everybody."
The Hampton Roads Air Force Week events are designed to expose the local population to the power and capabilities of the Air Force and strengthen the support for Airmen serving worldwide in the defense of freedom.
Seven freedom-defending Air Combat Command Airmen were recognized and introduced during the opening ceremonies as information about their warfighting accomplishments were made public to the crowd of hundreds. Applause echoed through the Hampton University football stadium as the Airmen were honored for their bravery in various capacitie, ranging from a convoy commander in charge of more than 30 vehicles to a medic who assisted in training Afghan national army members.
"Airmen are performing brilliantly, not just in their deployed locations in Iraq and Afghanistan but throughout the world, both at home and overseas," said Gen. John D.W. Corley, the ACC commander. "They are especially in the fight, in terms of Iraq and Afghanistan, helping this nation win both those wars and secure the freedoms of those people and protect our interests there"
Other highlights of the event included fly-overs by two B-1B Lancers and four F-22 Raptors. After the ceremony, static displays of the Air Force Monster Truck, the Air Force motorcyle and an F-16 Fighting Falcon with the Thunderbirds paint scheme attracted community members looking for a close-up view of the Air Force's trademark vehicles.
A concert by the Heritage of America Band and a performance by the Air Force Honor Guard completed the opening ceremonies.
After the Honor Guard performance a group of children called, "The Marching Ellites," from the local Hampton Roads schools, put on a show of their own for the Air Force Honor Guard members.
"This event is great for the kids," said Marching Ellites Coach Mark Cooper. "They can see what they want to be when they grow up."
For information on Air Force Week and to see a calendar of events, visit
www.airforceweek.af.mil/hamptonroads/.