CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – The Air Force Thunderbirds are scheduled to perform an exciting aerial ballet of high-speed maneuvers and turns as they take off over the skies of Charleston AFB during Air Expo 2008, April 26.

Air Expo 2008, Wings over Charleston, will feature some of the Air Force’s most popular aircraft performing to include the C-17 Globemaster III, F-15 Eagle Strike Fighter and F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighter.

The Thunderbirds, separated by only inches, have flown above millions of people displaying their precise aerial demonstrations throughout the 50 states, and around the world since their first demonstration in May 1953.

The Thunderbirds’ aerial demonstration team is a mix of formation flying and solo routines in the F-16 Fighting Falcon jet. The pilots perform approximately 40 maneuvers in the demonstration and the entire Thunderbird show runs about one hour.

Other acts scheduled to appear will be the Army Golden Nights parachute jump team, Navy F-18 Hornet and World War II era aircraft to include the P-51 Bomber, B-25 Bomber and the Kate Japanese Dive Bomber.

Gates open at 9 a.m., and the show will start at 10 a.m. As always, admission and parking are free. The best parking will be through the Dorchester Road gate. The Aviation Road gate will be closed from 1-4 p.m. for flying events, and no traffic will be allowed in or out. No parking will be allowed on the Arthur Road extension adjacent to the base perimeter.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase. No bicycles, pets, smoking, glass containers, or roller-blading will be allowed on the flight line. For the latest information on Air Expo 2008, go to Charleston AFB’s Web site at http://www.charlestonairexpo.com.

Aircraft and flying schedules are subject to change.

Special to TheTandD.com

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