Thursday, April 30, 2009

Military Firepower Added to 2009 Vectren Dayton Air Show Lineup

Dayton, Ohio – The United States Navy, Air Force and Army have confirmed three impressive additions to the 2009 Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger, which will be held on July 18th and 19th.The 35th annual show held at the Dayton International Airport will now include a Navy F-18 SuperHornet Demonstration along with an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration. Also appearing at this year’s show is the Virtual Army Experience, an expansive and sophisticated interactive exhibit.

The Navy’s premier fighter, the F-18 Super Hornet, will roar over Dayton skies to the delight of Air Show spectators. A larger and more advanced version of the F-18 Hornet, the Super Hornet is acarrier-based strike fighter that is operationally active in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Entering servicewith the US Navy in 1999, the Super Hornet replaced the F-14 Tomcat in 2006 and continues to serve alongside the Hornet in the Navy’s fleet. Informally known as the “Rhino”, the F-18 Super Hornet inDayton will be flown by Lt. Bryan “Stag” Pinckney and Lt. James “Cheeze” Presler. The East CoastSuper Hornet Demonstration Team, of Strike Fighter Squadron 106, “The Gladiators” is based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia.

It’s been more than eight years since the A-10 Thunderbolt II appeared in Dayton. The venerable Warthog, dubbed for its unglamorous appearance, came into the Air Force inventory in 1975 and noone guessed that it would still be a valuable asset in 2009. Specially designed for close air support, the Thunderbolt has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude as well as a highly accurate weapons-delivery system. With several upgrades through the years, it’s one tough fighter as the A-10can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm and fly when hydraulic power is lost. Known as the “tank buster”, the Thunderbolt has contributed in many operations including Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The Air Combat Command East Coast A-10 Demonstration Team, from Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, will provide this year’sThunderbolt Demonstration. Leading this year’s team and flying the demo will be Capt. Johnnie “Dusty” Green, a Seattle, Washington native and an Air Force Academy graduate.

Want to test-drive life in the US Army? You can at the 2009 Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented byKroger in the Virtual Army Experience (VAE). The 19,500-square-foot VAE is complete with state-of-the-art Army training simulation technology to create a life-size, networked virtual world. Visitors to the VAE employ teamwork, rules of engagement, leadership and high-tech equipment as they take part in a virtual Army mission. First appearing in Dayton in 2007, the Virtual ArmyExperience became an instant hit among spectators and is one of the most sought after exhibits in theair show industry. With more than 70 flat screens, 5 miles of data cable and 75 computers with 260gigs of processing power, the VAE is one of the most technologically advanced portable displays in thecountry.

Previously announced the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the 2009 Vectren Dayton Air Show and will be commanded by Lt. Col. Greg Thomas, a Cincinnati native and graduate of Anderson High School in Cincinnati and Wright State University in Dayton. The Thunderbirds will be joined by a special appearance of the Brazilian Air Force Smoke Squadron, the Esquadrilha da Fumaça, a seven-ship formation team. Also announced earlier this year were, Tora Tora Tora, an eight aircraft dramatic reenactment of the bombing of Pearl Harbor; Patty Wagstaff, three-time US National Aerobaticchampion and 2004 National Aviation Hall of Fame enshrinee; the US Army Golden Knights; a US AirForce C-17 Demonstration; and Sean D. Tucker, a world-famous aerobatic pilot and a 2008 National Aviation Hall of Fame enshrinee.

Air shows are among the most cost-efficient family entertainment alternatives available today. The Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger is no exception with three great seating options for bargain-seeking families. First, spectators can receive $3 off the gate price simply by purchasing their tickets through Kroger beginning June 8th. Next, the Family 4 Pack offers tremendous value for thosewanting an all-inclusive package. The $64.95 Pack includes 4 admission tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 Pepsis,parking and a souvenir program, a 40% savings off the full gate price. Finally, the ever-popularPavilion offers a reserved umbrella table seat with free parking for $37. These along with all seatingoptions are available on the show’s website, http://www.daytonairshow.com/.

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Founded in 1975, the Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger is one of America’s premier air shows. The AirShow showcases world-class aerobatic champions, military jet demonstrations and entertainment for the whole family celebrating Dayton’s aviation heritage as home of the Wright Brothers, National Museum of the US Air Force and Wright Patterson AFB. For more information visit www.daytonairshow.com

For more information contact: Michael Emoff, Chairman, United States Air & Trade Show Board of Trustees, 937-221-7820 Brenda Kerfoot, General Manager, Vectren Dayton Air Show, 937-898-5901 ext. 133

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