Aircraft From B-24s To The B-2 Will Entertain The Crowd
The 2011 Commemorative Air Force (CAF) AIRSHO is just a few
short days away. And this year, the CAF will be darkening the skies
with the massive bombers of World War II and today. “This
year is all about the bombers,” said CAF Colonel/Volunteer
AIRSHO Chairman, Gena Linebarger. “No other show in the
country can feature this massive array of aircraft. Two B-17s, a
B-24, four B-25s and the Queen of the CAF Fleet, the world’s
only flying B-29, FIFI, will take the skies over Midland/Odessa.
AND, we aren’t stopping at World War II. The B-1B Lancer and
the B-2 (best known as the Stealth Bomber) will be soaring over
AIRSHO crowds. This is an AIRSHO you can’t miss.”
In addition to the massive display of bombers, AIRSHO, presented
by Western National Bank, will feature World War II training,
observation, transport and fighter aircraft. The exciting aerobatic
displays of Corkey Fornof and Jan Collmer will thrill audiences as
they spiral through the sky and the A-10 West Demo Team will
demonstrate the capabilities of the A-10 Thunderbolt II in an
exciting performance. A complete list of aircraft is available
on the AIRSHO website.
The 2011 AIRSHO will also feature a patriotic performance of the
CAF’s Red, White & Loud Tour starring Aaron Tippin and
the B-29 FIFI. Country music star and patriot, Aaron Tippin, will
perform his chart-topping songs Where the Stars and Stripes and the
Eagle Fly, Kiss This and many more from a stage built into the wing
of the historic B-29. This is a great performance not to be missed.
The concert is included in AIRSHO admission and does not require an
additional ticket.
B-24 File Photo
Also making its debut appearance at this year’s AIRSHO is
the CAF Red Tail Squadron RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit. The RISE
ABOVE exhibit brings public awareness of the Tuskegee Airmen by
taking their story to young people and exposing them to an
immersive educational experience. The exhibit, which houses a
30-seat movie theater with a 180-degree screen, travels to air
shows, schools, youth gatherings and malls where visitors can sit
in climate-controlled comfort to enjoy an experience documentary
about the Tuskegee Airmen created by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker
Adam White. The experience is free to AIRSHO audiences.
AIRSHO ticket prices will remain at the same low price as the
last two years and we have once again invited local food vendors to
participate in this year’s show. Ticket prices for the 2011
AIRSHO are just $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 12,
Kids 5 and under are Free. Adult tickets will be $20 if purchased
at the gate, but tickets for children ages 6 to 12 will remain only
$5.
“In 2009, we “took a step back in time” and
lowered ticket prices to make attending AIRSHO easier on families,
and in 2010, the local food vendors enjoyed long lines and happy
customers at AIRSHO,” said CAF President/CEO Stephan Brown.
“The crowds enjoyed the unique variety of food available at
AIRSHO, from fun fried foods to fantastic sandwiches. Inviting
local food vendors back keeps the money in our hometown and keeping
lower ticket prices makes the AIRSHO more accessible to our
community.”
B-2 File Photo
On Saturday, Oct. 8 and Sunday, Oct. 9, the CAF AIRSHO gates
will open to the public at 0830 to give attendees plenty of time to
view the static aircraft before the flying begins. CAF AIRSHO takes
great pride in bringing the historic warbirds of the CAF fleet
along with modern military aircraft to the public.
Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for
more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) ranks
as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is
dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight,
exhibition and remembrance. A non-profit educational association,
the CAF has more than 8,000 members and a fleet of 156 airplanes
distributed throughout the country to 74 units located in 27 states
for care and operation.