Barksdale air show set for April 21-22

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Andriacco
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The largest air show in the South-Central region of the U.S., hosted by Barksdale Air Force Base, is scheduled to kick off April 21.

The annual Defenders of Liberty Air Show had an attendance of more than 215,000 guests during its two days last year, and features several acts this year including the headlining U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

Each year, hundreds of base personnel work to ensure the public has an opportunity to get an up close and personal view of the Air Force mission and to see some of the capabilities of the force's aircraft.

"Planning for this year's air show began right after last year's air show," said Maj. Warren Carroll, the show's air operations director. "In January, we assembled a staff of approximately 60 people to continue planning and preparation."

More Airmen will be on hand working in booths and giving information about the aircraft during the show itself.

"It takes all of Team Barksdale to support the air show," Carroll said. "The whole weekend is a work weekend for everybody on base, because it really takes everybody to show all the attendees from the Ark-La-Tex what a great organization Barksdale Air Force Base is."

However, it is not just the personnel at Barksdale putting forth great effort. Community partnership plays a key role in the annual event.

"This air show could not happen without the community support that we have," Carroll added. In communicating with other air show directors in different communities around the nation, we have one of the best relationships with our civilian leadership in the Shreveport/Bossier area in the nation."

This year's show is especially significant for the base, as 2012 marks the 60th anniversary of the first flight of the B-52H, and 50 years since the last B-52H Stratofortress was delivered from the assembly line to the Air Force.

In addition to the Thunderbirds, scheduled acts include: The Black Diamond Jet Team, Jacquie B., Vintage Warbirds, Shockwave Jet Truck and many more. Parked, static aircraft will also be on display. The schedule is subject to change due to the unpredictability of weather or potential mechanical malfunctions.

Both the event and parking are free to the public, but guests are cautioned to plan their trip carefully, as accommodating so many vehicles safely and efficiently will require some changes to how traffic enters and exits the base.

"The Bossier (North) and Shreveport (West) Gates will be used for processing Air Show Traffic exclusively," said Capt. Clifford Piernick, 2nd Security Forces Squadron operations officer. "Barksdale community personnel should anticipate that the gates will be closed to routine business traffic Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. as we facilitate the community attending the show and will not reopen until approximately 7 p.m."

Piernick added that base community members wishing to access the main part of the base may do so by entering the South Gate. Residents of the East side of the base will have to exit the East Gate on Industrial Drive and drive around the base to the South Gate.

"Traversing the installation will be difficult and will result in multiple ID card checks and substantial delays as inbound traffic bound for the air show will have priority," he said.

Any base resident wishing to attend the show may enter either of the two main gates and join the traffic flow to park in the designated area on the flight line, however at the end of the air show they will be directed off base with the rest of the traffic flow. Those wishing to attend and park elsewhere should enter the South Gate and look for parking on the main base area.

With such a large attendance expected on the military installation, some security precautions must be observed. Containers such as backpacks and coolers will be prohibited on the airfield. Some exceptions will be made for items such as diaper bags, purses and folding lawn chairs, but visitors must submit them to security personnel for an inspection. Weapons such as firearms, blades (including pocket knives) and blunt objects are strictly prohibited. Patrons with firearms will be asked to leave the installation or their weapons will be confiscated and will not be returned.

Additional information about the show, including more security information, a full list of the acts, and general information, may be found on the official web site of the show, www.barksdaleafbairshow.com.

Barksdale personnel and their dependents will also have an opportunity to show off their best photo taken from the crowd's perspective during the show in the base newspaper. The top photos will be printed in the April 27 edition of The Barksdale Warrior and the first place image will earn the photographer a prize package from the 2nd Force Support Squadron. Submissions should include the name of the photographer and the sponsor's unit and be e-mailed no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, April 23 to the 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs Office at 2bw.pa@us.af.mil.