Bank Gives CAF A 2 Year Commitment

The Best Warbird Show in America will hit the skies October 9-11 above Midland International Airport with a new Presenting Sponsor. The 2009 CAF AIRSHO will be presented by Western National Bank (WNB).

"The CAF is excited to announce Western National Bank as the Exclusive Presenting Sponsor for CAF AIRSHO 2009," said CAF President Stephan C. Brown. "This two-year agreement with a strong community leader is very encouraging to us in times like these.  The CAF, and the many local members/volunteers, depends heavily on team spirit to make AIRSHO a success."

"Western National Bank is pleased to be the new Exclusive Presenting Sponsor of the AIRSHO," said WNB President and CEO Jack Wood. "We believe it's important to be involved in events like this that benefit the entire community."

Thanks to WNB's support, the CAF has been able to invite all Midland, Ector and Howard county 5th graders for a free Jr. Aces Special Show on Friday along with the special needs kids from the area.

AIRSHO features over 100 aircraft on display and in the air, ranging from early vintage aircraft to the thundering sounds of today's American military aircraft. "We are excited to showcase the F-16 Viper West Coast Demo Team and Heritage Flight, as well as a demonstration from the C-17 Globemaster," said AIRSHO Director, Gena Linebarger.  "We know the crowd will enjoy seeing a fly-over by the B-52 Stratofortress Bomber. Also, on static display will be a wide variety of other modern military aircraft ranging from trainers to the B-1 Bomber."

For the first time, the CAF is hosting a Saturday night USO-style show immediately following AIRSHO. The show will feature live entertainment to rival the glamour and excitement of the World War II Canteens that served as a home away from home for the men and women protecting our freedom. Admission to the evening show will be free for those who have purchased AIRSHO tickets.

The show will feature Vietnam-era aircraft and aerial reenactments from the war. In true CAF style, AIRSHO will feature recreated historic battles of World War II using the CAF's collection of rare classic warbirds. The show will include aerial dogfights, simulated bomb explosions, and a recreation of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor with the world-renowned Tora, Tora, Tora pilots.

Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the CAF is a non-profit educational association  dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance.

FMI: www.commemorativeairforce.org