Participants
Military Demonstrations
U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight
The United States Air Force Heritage Flight program was established in 1997 to commemorate the Air Force’s 50th anniversary. It involves today’s state-of-the-art fighters flying in close formation with World War II, Korean and Vietnam era fighters such as the P-51 Mustang and the F-86 Sabre. The flight’s mission is to safely and proudly display the evolution of U.S. Air Force airpower and to support the Air Force’s recruiting and retention efforts.
The Indianapolis Air Show will feature the F-22 along side a P-51 Mustang, flown by Brad Hood. Brad’s association with the Mustang is a long one. His father was associated with a P-51 restoration business so Brad literally grew up around the Mustang from an early age. Brad has flown Mustangs in airshows across the country for nearly 20 years and has over 2200 hours in the P-51. He was one of the original pilots selected to fly with the USAF Heritage Team in 1995.
U.S. Navy Legacy Flight
The United States Navy Tailhook Legacy Flight program was established in 1999. It involves today’s state-of-the-art fighters flying in close formation with World War II, Korean War and Vietnam vintage Navy and Marine Corps fighters.
Its mission is to safely and proudly display the evolution of United States Naval airpower and to support the Navy and Marine Corps’ recruiting and retention efforts. The services have determined that their recruiting efforts are enhanced by having fly-bys at air shows with vintage naval warbirds and F-18 aircraft.
The Legacy Flight at Indianapolis will showcase the F-18 along side an F4U Corsair flown by Doug Matthews. Doug is a retired Lt. Commander in the Naval Reserves, a director of the Naval Aviation Legacy Foundation and the sponsor of Classic Fighters of America. He was Lead of the Tailhook Legacy Flight 2006-2008.
U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet East Coast Demonstration Team
The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin engine, mid-wing, all-weather fighter and attack aircraft. The F/A-18A and C models are single seat aircraft. The F/A-18B and D models are dual-seated. The Navy uses the B and D primarily for training, while the Marine Corps uses it for attack, tactical air control, airborne forward air control, and reconnaissance. The F/A-18C and D models are the result of an upgrade in 1987 incorporating provisions for improved night attack capability, as well as employing updated missiles and jamming devices.
The Hornet is the nations first true strike-fighter capable aircraft. It was designed for traditional strike aircraft missions without compromising its fighter capabilities. In fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction, and close air support.
U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team
Returning to the Indianapolis Air Show for the first time in several years, The U.S. Army Golden Knights will again demonstrate their ability to perform precise freefall and parachute maneuvers in the sky, and yet land at Air Show Center every time.
In 1959 13 men joined together to form the Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team, to compete in the then communist dominated sport of skydiving. The team performed so well that on June 1, 1961 the Army officially recognized, designated and activated the team as the U.S. Army Parachute Team.
For more than 44 years the “Golden Knights” have been wowing audiences at air shows, competitions and most recently, with high profile tandems.
The two demonstration teams travel all over the country performing aerial demonstrations at air shows and special events in support of Army recruiting goals.
The two competition teams travel, competing nationally and internationally at various skydiving competitions, continuously bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals. They are the most successful U.S. Department of Defense sports team.
While the Tandem Team focuses on bringing the public closer to the Army and the sport of skydiving.
“The Tandem Team enables the Army to reach out to influential citizens and give them a taste of the professionalism, leadership and teamwork that is involved in giving them a tandem,” said Lt. Colonel Anthony Dill, Commander, U.S. Army Parachute Team, “Golden Knights.”
The Golden Knights not only perform at air shows, compete on an international level and perform high profile tandems they also visit high schools and work with local recruiters showing young adults what type of opportunities the Army has for them.
Learn more about the Golden Knights.
U.S. Air Force Combat Command F-22A Demonstration Team
Headlining this year’s Indianapolis Air Show will be the F-22A Raptor, the U.S. Air Force’s newest, most advanced fighter jet. At the air show, the demonstration team will perform precision aerial maneuvers in the skies over Mt. Comfort Airport.
Learn more about the F-22A Raptor.
