Barksdale adds the Navy Blue Angels, Chilean Halcones and Aaron Tippen to the airshow line up

  • Published
  • By 090201
BARKSDALE AFB, La. --  The 2009 Barksdale "Defenders of Liberty" Air Show, May 9-10, will now feature three major demonstrations teams and a Mother's Day concert by Aaron Tippin. 

There will be returning military performances by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels in addition the Canadian Air Force Snowbirds Demonstration team and for the first time in 12 years performing in the United States the Chilean Halcones Demonstration team. 

Each demonstration team will perform both Saturday and Sunday with Sunday also
featuring a Mother's Day concert by country headliner Aaron Tippin. 

"This will be the largest and most international air show Barksdale Air Force Base has ever seen," said Col. Robert Wheeler, 2d Bomb Wing commander. "Having three major demonstration teams is simple incredible. This is an opportunity to bring the whole family out to see some incredible acts of flying." 

Although subject to change, Colonel Wheeler also announced the current performer list to also include Greg Poe, Shockwave Jet Truck, Air Force Reserve's Ed Hamill, the E-Team Skydivers, and may vintage war bird flybys. 

The Air Show dates and current performer list were originally announced during a ceremony where the Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council and Air Show Committee presented a $5,000 donation to the 8th Air Force Museum Association to assist in refurbishment of the B-47 static display at the museum. 

"We are grateful to the MAC for their unyielding support of Barksdale from their donation to the 8 AFMA to their support for the Defenders of Liberty Air Show," Colonel Wheeler said. "The air show lets us show our appreciation to the community by providing a free, family-oriented atmosphere showcasing the mission and capabilities of Barksdale and the U.S. Air Force." 

The expected 200,000 plus crowd in attendance will get to see international military air power with the Blue Angels, Canadian Snowbirds and Chilean Halcones.
The Blue Angels dazzle crowds with precision aerobatic maneuvers of the four-plane Diamond Formation, in concert with the fast-paced, high-performance maneuvers of its two Solo  Pilots. The Blue Angels illustrate the pinnacle of precision flying, performing maneuvers locked as  a unit in the renowned, six-jet Delta Formation. The Canadian Snowbird Demonstration Team will perform over 50 different formations and maneuvers in the AT-114 Tutor. During the 2009 season, the Snowbirds are scheduled to participate in over 65 air shows in 43 locations, proudly telling the Canadian Forces story through their inspirational flying. 

"Our newest team the Chilean Halcones, known simply as Falcons (Halcones), is an active group of nine officers of the Chilean Air Force trained to do aerial acrobatics," said Major Brian Nicolosi, 2009 Air Show director. "The team flies the Extra 300 aerobatic aircraft with a routine that has been shown in Ecuador, Brazil, England, Belgium, Canada, Israel, France, Peru and Bolivia, among others. We are proud to welcome them to Bossier City." 

More favorite flying acts include Greg Poe flying one of only 17 hand-crafted Edge 540's in the world and Air Force Reserve's Ed Hamill performing the "Above and Beyond" graceful routine in the Pitts Special. 

More air show performers and aerobatic acts are still being secured. These announcements will be made on the official Web site: http://www.barksdaleafbairshow.com/. The air show is free and open to all members of the public.

For more information, please see the official Web site: http://www.barksdaleafbairshow.com/ or call the 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs Office at (318) 456-3001. The office is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During off-duty hours, weekends and holidays call the command post at (318) 456-2151 and ask for the on-call public affairs representative or contact the Military Affairs Council Communications Coordinator, Cindy Smith at (318) 227-8611 or (318)
518-3688.