2015 Defenders of Liberty Airshow

Spectators watch the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornets perform during the 2015 Defenders of Liberty Airshow at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, May 2. The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Curt Beach)

2015 Defenders of Liberty Airshow

A B-52H Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit soar through the sky during the 2015 Defenders of Liberty Airshow at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, May 3. Effective Oct. 1, the B-1 bomber fleet will realign from Air Combat Command to Air Force Global Strike Command. Under the realignment, 63 aircraft and more than 7,000 personnel will join AFGSC. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

Air show draws thousands from ArkLaTex

Published May 5, 2015
By Senior Airman Benjamin Raughton
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The 2015 Defenders of Liberty Air Show brought tens of thousands of people to Barksdale, May 2 and 3, to view numerous static displays, gravity-defying aerobatic maneuvers and witness an unmatched display of air power courtesy of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

Joining the Navy's headliner air demonstration team was the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team and a rarely-seen bomber flyover featuring the B-52H Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit kicking off the performances.

Col. Kristin Goodwin, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, delivered the opening remarks before flight demonstrations began.

"The Airmen of Barksdale Air Force Base provide world-class nuclear deterrence and conventional air power around the globe and we're proud to defend the great nation we call home," she said. "On behalf of Team Barksdale and the 'Mighty Deuce,' we want to say thank you for enabling our Airmen and our United States Air Force. We hope you enjoy today's display of American airpower as we demonstrate what it means to be defenders of liberty."

Mike Bennett, who's been to one previous air show, visited Barksdale from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, along with his young son who is making his first air show memory.

"I am in awe. It's magnificent," Bennett said. "I've seen the Blue Angels once before, but my son has never seen them and he finds the aerobatics amazing. We're really impressed."

While many families were drawn to the grand displays of air power in the sky, the air show also attracted veterans.

Tom Merrill, a Navy veteran, has seen more than 10 air shows.

"My favorite things are the static displays," he said. "I like the bombers in particular, such as the B-52s and the B-1s."

As the 2015 Defenders of Liberty Air Show drew to a close Sunday afternoon, visitors returned ho me to their communities having seen air power at its best and knowing the 'Mighty Deuce' and its joint partners are truly second to none.