LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
About 180,000 people are expected to attend AirPower over Hampton Roads 2007, Langley's annual air show, which is scheduled for April 27 through 29 along the flightline.
The air show, also known as an open house, is a free event featuring a variety of aerial demonstrations, including historical aircraft and the latest fighter jet, the F-22A Raptor. There will also be educational and commercial exhibits and children's activities on site.
Lt. Col. Robert DeStasio, Langley's open house director, is returning for his third and final year, foresees this year's show as being just as - if not more - successful than previous years.
"Guests should come to Langley air show weekend expecting a wide array of entertainment - from static displays and aerial events, to a live concert and fireworks show," he said.
"Langley will host new performers as well as performers who have proven to be exciting and entertaining for our guests in the past," said Dale Drumright, air show coordinator.
Gates will open April 27 at 5 p.m., and April 28 and 29, gates will open at 9 a.m. The first evening of the air show will kick off with a live concert from the rock band Kansas starting at 7 p.m. The concert will be followed by a night air show and fireworks.
The following two days, shows will include performances from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the B-17 used in the movie "Memphis Bell," a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet and DAV B-25 "Panchito." Guests will also be entertained by national aerobatic champions Patty Wagstaff, and Castrol's Michael Goulian, the E-team's flying Elvis', Red Eagles, Geico Skytypers, Oregon Aero's Skydancer, Manfred Radius' graceful glider, and Rich's Incredible Pyro. A U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight will also grace the skies as historical aircraft fly in formation with today's top war-fighting jets.
Maj. Paul Moga, F-22 demo pilot, will take to the sky with a sneak peak into the 2008 demo season.
"This is a big year for the Air Force and the F-22 Demo Team," he said. "The folks in the Langley community are used to seeing Raptors grace the skies around the local area, but they probably haven't seen them doing this. While it won't be the full profile that people will see in 2008, it promises to be something special. Then, to top it all off, we'll put the best fighter aircraft the world has ever seen (the F-22) in formation with its World War I and Korean War equivalents in the form of a Heritage Flight. It'll be a great visual representation of the Air Force's 60th Anniversary 'Heritage to Horizons' celebration."
Static aircraft will also be available on the ground for public photo opportunities, and people of all ages will have the opportunity to get "up close and personal" to the latest Air Force aircraft.
"The men and women of Langley Air Force Base do a phenomenal job at orchestrating an extremely well-coordinated event that has something for everyone," Ms. Drumright continued. "With their hard work and dedication, AirPower over Hampton Roads is recognized as one of the top air shows in the nation."
For more information on Langley's air show, visit www.langley.af.mil.