Black Hawk Down POW, Michael Durant, to appear at Vectren Dayton Air Show

Dayton, Ohio – Air show officials confirmed today that Michael Durant CW4 (Retired) will appear Saturday, June 22nd at the 39th annual event. The Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger will take place on June 22nd and 23rd at the Dayton International Airport. Durant, now a New York Times bestselling author and motivational speaker, was the pilot of Black Hawk helicopter Super Six Four that was fired upon and shot down during combat operations in Mogadishu, Somalia on October 3, 1993.

After being shot down, Durant’s crew went through an intense street battle and was eventually overrun by a crazed mob. Durant was dragged away and kept prisoner for 11 days. He was badly injured, suffering from a broken back and gunshot wounds. During that time Durant’s image was the focus of media across the world and appeared on the covers of Time, Newsweek and U.S. News and World Report. The events of that day were recorded in Mark Bowden’s bestselling book Black Hawk Down and Ridley Scott’s movie of the same name. Durant recorded his impressions of the event in the bestselling book, In the Company of Heroes and later wrote about covert warfare from his experience in Special Operations in the book, The Night Stalkers.

A decorated veteran with such awards as the Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart, POW/MIA ribbon and several others, Michael Durant retired from the Army in 2001. A New Hampshire native, Durant is currently President of Pinnacle Solutions, Inc., a simulation and training company based in Huntsville, Alabama. Durant and his wife, Lisa, have six children.

While at the show on June 22nd, Durant will spend some time with the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation group that offers spectators Huey and Cobra rides and will also have some of his family with him during the day. “I’m very much looking forward to the show and having the opportunity to share my passion for aviation with my family,” said Durant.

“We are thrilled to host Michael Durant and his family at the Vectren Dayton Air Show," stated Michael Emoff, United States Air and Trade Show Board of Trustees Chairman. "He represents the honor and sacrifice present in our military men and women," he added.

The 2013 Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger takes off on June 22nd and 23rd at the Dayton International Airport. In total, there will be 15 feature attractions in the air and a host of ground display aircraft and interactive exhibits. Flying attractions range from award-winning aerobatic great Sean D. Tucker to the only flying B-29 Superfortress in the world, "FIFI", to a first ever demonstration of the MiG-17 and Disney Planes star Dusty. Spectators will also enjoy the AeroShell Formation Aerobatic Team and the "Great Wall of Fire" just to name a couplemore. Visit the show website at www.daytonairshow.com for a complete lineup and ticket information.

The Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger is produced by the United States Air and Trade Show, Inc, a 501(c)6) not-for-profit Ohio Corporation that relies on sponsorship and community support to offset the cost of producing the event. The Dayton/Montgomery Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates that the show has a $3.2 million annual economic impact on the region.

For more information: http://www.mikedurant.com/

Founded in 1975, the Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger is one of America’s premier air shows. The Air Show 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.