JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Joint Base Andrews held an Air Show on Sept. 19, 2015.
Months of preparation culminated in a show featuring static, aviation displays and flights.
The flights were headlined by the United States Air Force aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds.
"It's great to be here at Joint Base Andrews! We couldn't think of a better place to celebrate 68 years of Air Force history," said Capt. Sara Harper, Thunderbirds public affairs officer. "It was an honor to be a part of the air tattoo on Friday, that honored past and present Airmen of the world's greatest Air Force!"
Also flying: an F-22 Raptor; P-51 Mustangs; F-16 Fighting Falcons; a U-2 "Dragon Lady"; the U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute team; a KC-135 Stratotanker; Kent Pietsch, professional stunt pilot; UH-1N Iroquois; the Warbirds aerial demonstration team; Scott Francis, an acrobatic pilot; the Trojan Horsemen; and David Windmiller, an acrobatic pilot.
The flights took place over a flightline covered in static displays and refreshments provided by local vendors.
"It's been great, I really enjoyed it," Angela DeBellis, air show attendee. "It's been a long time since I went to one of these, I can't wait to come to another."
Distinguished visitors included Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, Air Force Chief of Staff, and Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone, who assisted in stopping an in-progress French terrorist attack.
The announcer was Matt Jolley, current host of the Edward R. Murrow Award winning radio talk show for military aviation fans, Warbird Radio LIVE.
JBA and Naval Air Facility Washington personnel provided logistic, medical and security support.
"We wanted to show our air superiority capabilities and say 'thanks' to the community," said Lt. Col. Marc Milligan, Air Show director. "Judging by the attendance and enthusiasm from the audience for our displays, I'd call this a success."