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. The show will also feature performances by the Shockwave Jet Truck, Viper Airshows, Black Diamond Jet Team, Jacquie B. Air Shows, Red Bull Team Chambliss, Kevin Coleman, and the vintage war birds including the T-6 Texan, P-51 Mustang, MiG 17, B-17 Bomber, a C-17 Demo and more.
The 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs office is hosting the below media opportunities concerning interviews with the Thunderbirds, the media flight, the hometown hero flight, school visits, interviews with the military air show team and coordination for base access during Saturday and Sunday.
For interviews with civilian acts, please coordinate with Cindy Smith at 518-3688 or media@barksdaleafbairshow.com.
Thursday, 19 April: Team arrivals
9 - 11 a.m. Media Rides at the Downtown Shreveport Airport*
· Kevin Coleman A36 Bonanza two-seater for media flight / plane-side interview
*This coverage 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. is off-base at the Downtown Shreveport Airport Hanger #16. Contact Cindy Smith no later than Tuesday, 17 April to specify interest in interviewing and/or taking a media flight.
2:45 p.m. Media arrive through North Gate entrance of base
3:00 p.m. U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds planeside interviews at 3:15.
3:45 - 4 p.m. Interview with Air Boss / Ground Boss at Hoban Hall
4:30 p.m.- U.S. Air Force Thunderbird's media flight coverage
4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. *Potential interviews with performers including Kevin Coleman, Jacquie B., Jason Newburg, Greg Colyer
(T33), and ACC Heritage*
Friday, 20 April:
8:45 a.m. Media intending to cover FTAC visit and Hometown Hero flight arrive through North Gate entrance of base
9 - 10 a.m. U.S. Air Force Thunderbird school visits off base and First Term Airmen Center on base.
10 - 11:30 a.m. U.S. Air Force Thunderbird's media flight coverage and interviews
12 p.m. Media departs base
Saturday, 21 April: Air Show.
7:30 a.m. Live Media Truck Arrivals.
8:45 a.m. Media arrival through South Gate on base for sign-in and air show coverage.
9:30 a.m. Personal interview with the Air Boss
11a.m. - 4 p.m. Show time!
12 p.m. 2nd media arrival for sign-in and air show coverage
3 p.m. Enlistment ceremony by Thunderbirds at AF recruiter booth
4:30 p.m. Media departure.
Sunday, 22 April: Air Show.
7:30 a.m. Live Media Truck Arrivals.
8:45 a.m. Media arrival through South Gate on base for sign-in and air show coverage.
11a.m. - 4 p.m. Show time!
12p.m. Another media arrival on base for sign-in and air show coverage.
4:30 p.m. Media departure.
All contacts must be cleared and identified on the gate entrance list by no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 17 April. Please contact Cindy Smith for coordination.
For more information, please see the official Web site: http://www.barksdaleafbairshow.com/ or call the Military Affairs Council Communications Coordinator, Cindy Smith at (318) 227-8611 or 518-3688. Barksdale Air Show is also on Facebook