Base guests witness Heritage Flight Published April 24, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Air Force history and pride was displayed during the Heritage Flight at the 2012 Barksdale Air Force Base Defenders of Liberty Air Show April 22. The crowd's attention was captured as Air Force historical aircraft, the P-47 Thunderbolt and the F-4 Phantom, performed a joint flight over the base flightline. "As I watch the old and new aircraft fly by together, I get choked up," said Max Schofield, a distinguished air show visitor. "I've seen old aircraft before, but this is the first Heritage Flight I've seen." According to Air Combat Command, the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight program presents the evolution of U.S. Air Force air power by flying more contemporary fighter aircraft in close formation with vintage fighter aircraft. The Heritage Flight was founded in 1997 to celebrate the Air Force's 50th anniversary. In 2010, the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation was formed to keep this popular program flying. "Anytime I see old aircraft I think about the guys who flew them when they were 18, 19, 20-years-old, and the things they did for all of us," Schofield said. To keep the historical Air Force alive, Heritage Flights are performed throughout the year in the U.S. and overseas. "The neat thing about the Heritage Flight is being able to see a piece of history," said retired Lt. Gen. Robert Elder. "These flights remind you of all the good things the Air Force has done. The Air Force has a bright future, but a great history."