OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Neb. -- The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels, an F-18 demonstration team, perform breathtaking stunts in their famous diamond formation during the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show here Aug. 29 - 30. U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Neb. -- The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels, an F-18 demonstration team, perform breathtaking stunts during the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show here Aug. 29 - 30. U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Neb. -- The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels C-130, affectionately known as "Fat Albert," performs during the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show here Aug. 29 - 30. U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Neb. -- An F-16 Fighting Falcon takes to the air as part of the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show here Aug. 29 - 30. The F-16 is a compact, multi-role fighter that can locate targets in all weather conditions and detect low flying aircraft in radar ground clutter. U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Neb. -- A P-51 Mustang, an F-16 Fighting Falcon and an F-15 Strike Eagle perform a heritage flight during the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show here Aug. 29 - 30. The heritage flight honors the aircraft of both the U.S. Army Air Forces and today's Air Force. U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Neb. -- A Boeing E-4B, an airborne command post, flies over the U.S. Navy Blue Angels F-18s during the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show here Aug. 29 - 30. The E-4B serves as the National Airborne Operations Center for the president, secretary of defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In response to an emergency, the aircraft can provide a highly survivable, command, control and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate actions by civil authorities. U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Neb. -- A C-17 Globemaster demonstrates its ability to land with less than 1,500 feet of runway during the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show here Aug. 29 - 30. The C-17's ability to land with minimal distance allows it to utilize thousands of short air fields worldwide. U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Neb. -- Staff Sgt. Naomi Keen, a vocalist with Tops in Blue, entertains a large crowd during a performance at the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show here Aug. 29. Tops in Blue, also known as the Air Force's expeditionary entertainers, performed numerous songs during the show including "Neon Rainbow," "Chicken Fried" and "God Bless the USA." U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Neb. -- Attendees of the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show participate in simulated combat inside the Virtual Army Experience here Aug. 29. The Virtual Army Experience consisted of military vehicles including a Blackhawk helicopter, loaded with modified machine guns that could be electronically fired at a giant screen displaying mock combat scenarios. Participants were graded on their accuracy and team work as they responded to various combat situations. U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Neb. -- Seven-year-old Drue Davis, from Olpe, Kan., sits in a T-41 Mescalero aircraft during the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show here Aug. 30. The T-41 is a military version of the Cessna 172, which is used by the U.S. Air Force Academy located in Colorado Springs, Colo., for pilot training. U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE Neb. -- Three-year-old Brandon Kiger (left) and Two-year-old Jack Real (right), play with toy airplanes prior to the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels performance at the 2009 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show Aug. 29. U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger