EAA, Warbirds of America to Present ‘Salute to Veterans’ at AirVenture

lizfoxjohnson — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:20:44 +0000

An extensive list of special programs and events honoring America’s veterans will be part of highlights during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, this summer, July 26-August 1. AirVenture’s “Salute to Veterans” is a national partnership led by EAA, the Warbirds of America, and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Activities will take place throughout the grounds during the week, with DAV playing a major role in the featured events, including the concluding concert by actor Gary Sinise’s “Lt. Dan Band” on Friday evening, July 30.

“Those of us who enjoy the freedom of flight know that freedom comes at a cost-a cost borne by those who have served in uniform,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA chairman/president. “This is the right thing to do at Oshkosh, because AirVenture is an event that honors flight like no other and is a great opportunity to salute those who serve and have served, and ensured our ability to participate in aviation. Salute to Veterans will be one of the primary focuses during AirVenture 2010.”

All veterans and active military personnel who are not EAA members are eligible for a special daily AirVenture admission rate of $28 (nearly 25 percent off the regular daily price). This special discount is only available for tickets purchased in advance through the www.airventure.org website. EAA-member military personnel will continue to receive the EAA-member rate, the lowest adult admission rate available to the event.

“DAV is honored to continue this wonderful partnership with the EAA,” said DAV National Commander Bobby Barrera. “The EAA’s commitment to honoring those who bear the scars of battle is truly remarkable.”

Along with the special admission pricing and Lt. Dan Band concert, other featured events and highlights during AirVenture’s Salute to Veterans are:

Specially designated forums and speakers throughout the week;
Historic and current military aircraft and personalities on AeroShell Square;
A mass gathering of veterans for a photo opportunities on Wednesday, July 28, and Friday, July 30;
An evening program focused on veterans on Wednesday, July 28;
A special air show segment featuring Vietnam-era Warbirds on Wednesday, July 28;
An upgraded Warbird Aircraft Display area with additional programs on military aircraft throughout the week;
The always-popular expanded Warbirds air shows on Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31;
Additional programs and events as details are finalized.

The Salute to Veterans program will have a “Thank A Veteran” focus and will coincide with the 75th anniversaries of two significant U.S. military aircraft: The Boeing B-17 bomber and the Douglas DC-3 aircraft, which carried the C-47 (Army) and R-4D (Navy) designations during its active military service.

DAV Flight Team Kicks Off 2010 Airshow Season

admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:06:36 +0000

AirSupport’s DAV Flight Team kicks off its eighth airshow season this weekend, March 20-21, at Thunder in the Valley in Columbus, GA. It’s is the first of approximately 25 shows that the DAV Flight Team will attend this year as part of the Disabled American Veterans Aviation Public Outreach Program.

Developed to increase public awareness of disabled veterans and to serve veterans in communities across the nation, the program uses a World War II era B-25 bomber and a fully-interactive display — reaching over 2.7 million airshow spectators each season. AirSupport LLC Event Coordinators work with each show to maximize media exposure and visibility for DAV. In addition, DAV representatives are on hand throughout the event to talk to veterans and their families.

Disabled American Veterans is a 1.2 million member, non-profit organization. Founded more than 80 years ago, DAV is dedicated to a single purpose; building better lives for America’s disabled veterans and their families.

To download a copy of the DAV Flight Team 2010 Schedule, click on this link then scroll to the end of the page.

AirSupport LLC Represents Airshow Industry at General Aviation Seminar in Korea

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:31:46 +0000

Governor Kim Moon-soo (left) and AirSupport President Michael McCabe greet each other at General Aviation Industry Development Seminar in Republic of Korea where Mr. McCabe was a guest speaker in June of 2009.

Gary Sinise and His ‘Lt. Dan Band’ Returning to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2010

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:51:28 +0000

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — (Nov. 11, 2009) — A weeklong salute to veterans during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2010 will be highlighted on Friday, July 30, when the EAA Warbirds of America and Disabled American Veterans host the return of actor Gary Sinise and his “Lt. Dan Band” at AirVenture’s Theater in the Woods.
It’s a return engagement for Sinise, best known for his role as Vietnam veteran Lt. Dan Taylor in the classic film “Forrest Gump”, and as star of the hit TV series CSI: New York. Sinise also plays bass in The Lt. Dan Band, which made its first hugely popular appearance at Oshkosh in 2008.
The concert will be the highlight of a series of veteran-focused events that will take place throughout EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2010. Further details regarding other events during the week will be announced as they are finalized.
“We are thrilled to welcome back Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band to EAA Oshkosh,” said Tom Poberezny, EAA chairman/president and AirVenture chairman. “The concert will be a fitting finale to a week of events that will honor American veterans at AirVenture 2010.”
The Lt. Dan Band covers everything from Bruce Springsteen to Linkin Park, Aretha Franklin to Jimi Hendrix. After 2008’s very well-received Oshkosh concert in front of thousands at Theater in the Woods, EAA Warbirds of America and Disabled American Veterans teamed up to sponsor the band’s return. The concert will follow a series of events dedicated to Disabled American Veterans.
“Gary Sinise is a longtime advocate for Disabled American Veterans and continues to shine the light on our mission to build better lives for America’s disabled veterans,” said Bobby Barrera, DAV National Commander. “As a patriotic and family friendly venue, EAA AirVenture is an ideal setting to feature the Lt. Dan Band.”
The 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation’s disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our nation’s disabled veterans and their families.
EAA Warbirds of America is a non-profit organization and division of EAA that is dedicated to the preservation of former military aircraft, better known as “warbirds.” Since 1964, EAA Warbirds of America has worked to “Keep ’em Flying.”
EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH is The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAA’s yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.airventure.org. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org.

AIRSHOW TO RETURN TO MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN

admin — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:44:45 +0000

Muskegon, MI – Thrilling aerobatic and military displays will take to the skies over Muskegon, Michigan in 2010. As a new component of Muskegon Summer Celebration, a popular regional music festival, the airshow will take place over Muskegon Lake on June 26th and 27th, 2010. “We expect that the airshow will breath new life into Summer Celebration as the event enters its 18th year”, says Muskegon Summer Celebration Executive Director, Joe Austin. The airshow will highlight the first weekend of the 11-day event, which concludes on July 4th. Event organizers hope that the show will gain the same popularity as the Muskegon’s Air Fair that ran from 1983 to 2006 and featured world-class aerobatic performers and military jet teams. AirSupport LLC will be supporting Air Operations at the event. For more information about Muskegon Summer Celebration go to www.summercelebration.com.

DAV Flight Team Attends Oregon International Air Show

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:13:10 +0000

Article in The Oregonian

DAV Flight Team Celebrates 100th Event at Indy 500

admin — Fri, 22 May 2009 14:36:32 +0000

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Flight Team will honor veterans and thrill race fans with a special flyover of two B-25 Mitchell bombers at the 2009 Indianapolis 500 Mile Race.

As part of the DAV Aviation Outreach Program, two DAV Flight Team B-25s—Special Delivery and Take Off Time— will pass over the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the NATIONAL ANTHEM prior to the beginning of the race.

The DAV Aviation Outreach Program is an Aviation Based Marketing Program developed to promote the DAV’s mission of building better lives for America’s disabled veterans. The flyby represents the 100th event for the program — now in it’s seventh season under the management of AirSupport LLC.

“We are thrilled that we are able to mark the celebration of the 100th event of the DAV Aviation Outreach Program with this prestigious flyby at an event as iconic as the Indianapolis 500”, says Mike McCabe, President and founder of AirSupport LLC.

AirSupport LLC is a full-service airshow and aviation event management, planning and production company. Founded in 1995, the company’s primary mission is to provide aviation event services that allow its customers to enjoy professional, profitable and safe aviation events.

The DAV Aviation Outreach Program, features the B-25 Mitchell Bomber and will appear nationwide at over 25 airshows this season, reaching over 2.7 million airshow spectators. For more information about Aviation Based Marketing Programs visit www.airsupport.com.

The 2009 Indianapolis 500 will be broadcast nationally in High Definition on ABC on Sunday, May 24. For more information, check www.indy500.com.

DAV Flight Team Flies Doolittle Raiders

admin — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:29:57 +0000

April 17th and 18th, 2009

The DAV Flight Team participated in the 67th Reunion of the Doolittle Raiders. Held in Columbia, SC the reunion celebrated the anniversary of the Doolittle Raid over Tokyo and honored the veteran pilots and crew who undertook the bombing that proved to be a pivotal point in World War II.

Doolittle Raiders Fly in B-25, “Panchito” — Video Footage

To view more photos, check out the Gallery

DAV Flight Team Helps Draw Large Crowds in Tuscaloosa

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:55:00 +0000

Tuscaloosa News April 3, 2009

Pilot James Terry, left, and co-pilot Patrick Mahaffey fly the Pacific Prowler, a restored B-25 bomber, over Tuscaloosa this morning. The vintage aircraft flew over 120 missions during World War II. It will be on display Saturday and Sunday during the Tuscaloosa Air Show at the Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport.

By Doug Ray, Editor

The Pacific Prowler, a restored World War II B-25 bomber, climbed over Tuscaloosa this morning in advance of this weekend’s air show.Inside the vintage aircraft, the passengers — four journalists, the airport manager and a local pastor — scrambled between the panoramic view from the windowed nose to the rear-facing dome of the gunner’s seat in the tail.

All day long, a wide variety of aircraft will be arriving and taking off from the Tuscaloosa Municipal Airport. They will be joined by the thunder of the Blue Angels’ FA-18 Hornets.

The B-25 is one of a number of vintage aircraft that will be on display Saturday and Sunday. The Pacific Prowler flew over 120 missions during WWII before being retired from service and later sold for scrap.

The bomber was purchased by a private company in 1962, fully restored and appeared in several movies, including ‘Flight of the Phoenix’ and ‘Around the world in 80 Days.’ It is one of only a handful of B25s still in flight.

The Pacific Prowler’s visit to Tuscaloosa is sponsored by Disabled American Veterans.

DAV Flight Team and B-25 Draw Media Attention at the Florida International Airshow

admin — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:01:56 +0000

The DAV Flight Team takes to the skies at the Florida International Airshow March 21st and 22nd, 2009

See article in The Herald Tribune