News>Offutt set to host annual Defenders of Freedom air show
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Two T-28's perform a flyby as they end their performance at the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Air Show and Open House Aug. 27. An estimated 110 thousand people attended the air show Aug. 27 - 28, to get a firsthand look at the U.S. military and learn about its rich heritage. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
A Russian MiG-17 jets down the Offutt Air Force Base runway during the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show Aug. 27. Thousands of people attended the air show for a chance to see and hear aircraft perform. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
U.S. Army Spc. Mathew Navarro and Staff Sgt. Howard Sanborn, assigned to the Golden Knights demonstration team, look out over the Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., runway, from a Fokker C-31A Troopship, prior to beginning their synchronized jump for the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show, Aug. 27. The Golden Knights have been performing at air shows since its inception in1961. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
Hundreds of people stood in line to tour an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft at the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Aug. 27 - 28. The AWACS is a modified Boeing 707/320 commercial airframe that is identified by the 30-foot rotating radar dome held 11 feet above the fuselage by two struts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
Offutt Air Force Base's ramp was packed with attendees during the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show Aug. 27. The air show began with the U.S. Army's Golden Knights parachute team and ended with Air Combat Commands F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
Brandon Kyle pushes his son Zion (4) in a peddle plane while attending the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Aug. 27. The air show had a Kid's Fun Zone where children could enjoy rock climbing, simulators, inflatables and much more. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
Air show attendees take refuge in the shade of a B-1B Lancer while attending the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Aug 27. The B-1B is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force and it can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
James Geer and his two sons Cole (6) and Ethan (11), look at the A-10 Thunderbolt II GAU-8/A 30 mm cannon while attending the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Aug. 27. The A-10, also referred to as the Warthog, has participated in operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Provide Comfort, Desert Fox, Noble Anvil, Deny Flight, Deliberate Guard, Allied Force, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
Liam Bythrow (10) and his brother Tommy (7) get an up close look at U.S. aviation history as they walk around a P-51 Mustang, at the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show Aug. 27 - 28. The P-51, primarily used as a long-range escort fighter and a ground attack fighter-bomber, served in nearly every combat zone during World War II, and later fought in the Korean War. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
An F-15E Strike Eagle soars over the Offutt Air Force Base runway showcasing the F-15E's capabilities at the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show Aug. 27. The F-15E is a dual-role fighter with two crew members, a pilot and a weapons systems officer, performing air- to-air and air-to-ground missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
An F-15E Strike Eagle soars over the Offutt Air Force Base runway showcasing the F-15E's capabilities at the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show Aug. 27. The F-15E is a dual-role fighter with two crew members, a pilot and a weapons systems officer, performing air- to-air and air-to-ground missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
People watch as the Air Combat Command F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team performs at the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Aug. 27 - 28. The F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team, based at Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., displayed the F-15E's capabilities and maneuverability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
Thousands of people gathered on Offutt Air Force Base's ramp for a chance to tour aircraft while attending the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show Aug. 27 - 28. An estimated 110 thousand people flooded Offutt's flightline to view a variety of aircraft from different time periods. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
Mattison Johnson (left) and her friend Maryah Godwin of Papillion Neb., duke it out in one of several Kid's Fun Zone attractions at the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Air Show and Open House Aug. 27 - 28. The two-day event drew in an estimated 110,000 people. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
Air show attendees at the 2011 Defenders of Freedom Air Show and Open House, were treated to a flyby of an E-4B as it flew along Offutt Air Force Base's runway Aug. 27. The E-4B airframe is specially modified to serve as a survivable mobile command post for the president of the United States, secretary of defense and their successors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger)
8/16/2012 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The time is finally here for the 2012 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show.
This year's event takes place Aug. 25-26 and will feature more than 30 aerial performers, more than 30 static displays as well as more than 35 ground displays and exhibitors.
"We are very excited to open our gates and highlight what our military members do around the world on a daily basis," said Col. John Rauch, 55th Wing commander. "We also want to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their continuous support of Team Offutt."
The annual event is free and open to the public and will feature the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornet demonstration team, U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier demonstration team, U.S. Air Force A-10 heritage flight and the U.S Army Golden Knights parachute team.
"We're proud to highlight performers from all four services at this year's show," said Maj. Lance Hofer, air show director. "We've worked hard to get a great cross sample of our nation's military might on display and it should be a great event."
Also performing at this year's event will be Kevin Coleman's Extra 300SHP, The Horsemen's three F-86 Sabres, the Red Steel Jet Team's three L-39's, as well as the Flash Fire Jet Truck, which will haul down the runway at more than 300 miles an hour.
"We're also stoked to have the Lima Lima six-ship T-34 formation on the schedule as well as Team Aerostar's three-ship Yak-52 formation," Hofer said. "Those are real crowd pleasers."
This is the 41st consecutive Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show. Each year the organizers goal is to highlight the latest and greatest in modern aircraft and technology as well as showcase the military's history and capabilities.
"We have a great lineup of vintage war birds scheduled for the show too," Hofer said. "We'll have the P-51D, B-25, A-1E and a Japanese Zero to name just a few."
This year's event also features an expanded kid's zone. Children will have a plethora of rides and games to play and a BMX team will provide an exhibition for them throughout the weekend.
With construction taking place at the U.S. Strategic Command gate, attendees are encouraged to ride one of the free shuttles that are available at several locations throughout Bellevue. They run continuously on both days from 8:45 a.m. until 6 p.m. with the last inbound shuttle arriving at 3 p.m.
Pick-up locations for the shuttle are the Southroads Technology Center, Bellevue University, Bellevue East High School, Bellevue West High School and Offutt's Bellevue gate.
Handicap parking is available on base and please note that coolers, backpacks, large bags and pets are not permitted
For more information about the 2012 open house and air show, visit www.offuttairshow.com.
