AIR SHOW TO START TODAY.Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer There will be lights, cameras and lots of action this weekend when the Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team appears during the 38th annual Point Mugu Air Show. The gates open at noon today, with demonstrations beginning at 1 p.m. and the Thunderbirds slated to perform at 3:30 p.m. This evening's show, which will last through 7 p.m., features the firing of afterburners and pyrotechnics pyrotechnics (pī'rōtĕk`nĭks, pī'rə–), technology of making and using fireworks. Gunpowder was used in fireworks by the Chinese as early as the 9th cent. after dark. Gates open at 8 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday, with flight demonstrations beginning at 10 a.m. The Thunderbirds will fly at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, ending the show on both days. ``The Thunderbirds are one of two major jet demonstrations teams in the world,'' said Terri Reid, spokeswoman for the Naval Base A naval base primarily for support of the forces afloat, contiguous to a port or anchorage, consisting of activities or facilities for which the Navy has operating responsibilities, together with interior lines of communications and the minimum surrounding area necessary for local Ventura County, Point Mugu. ``They are going to put on a fantastic show.'' Performing 30 maneuvers - including a mix of in-formation and solo routines - Thunderbird thunderbird In North American Indian mythology, a powerful spirit in the form of a bird that watered the earth and made vegetation grow. Lightning was believed to flash from its eyes or beak, and the beating of its wings was thought to represent rolling thunder. pilots fly Lockheed Martin For the former company, see . Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a leading multinational aerospace manufacturer and advanced technology company formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. F-16 Fighting Falcons, a highly maneuverable multi-role fighter. The popular Air Force team last performed at Point Mugu in 1998. ``This is the third consecutive year we've had an evening show,'' said Reid, who described afterburners as what happens when pilots take their engines to full throttle Full Throttle can refer to:
Other military demonstrations will include the Navy's F-14 Tomcat The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable geometry wing aircraft. The F-14 was the United States Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor and tactical reconnaissance platform from 1974 to 2006. , the FA-18 Hornet hornet: see wasp. , and E-2C E-2C Hawkeye; Navy Airborne Warning and Control System Aircraft Hawkeye, A-10A Thunderbolt II, C-130 Hercules and F-15 Eagle. Flying for the first time will be the Russian Thunder, an aircraft built in 1996 that is one of only seven flying in the world. Four civilian planes will also present demonstrations, including the GeeBee. ``It's a throwback throwback see atavism. to the days of the Wild West,'' said Reid. ``It's a little plane like a box car with demi-wings.'' The air show will also feature numerous static displays, including an F- 117 stealth fighter and a C-17 Globemaster 3, a cargo plane used by the Air Force. ``It was specifically made to carry the U.S. Army's Abrahams tank,'' said Vance Vasquez, spokesman for the naval base. ``It's a pretty big aircraft. It's going to be neat to see that here.'' Last year, the air show attracted 200,000 visitors. ``This year with the combination of jet team and good weather we'll have a great crowd,'' Reid said. Admission and air-show parking are free, although reserved seating is available for purchase for all three shows. For ticket information, contact Air Show network (800) 654-1055. CAPTION(S): 2 photos, map Photo: (1) Two U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform precision aerial maneuvers over Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu. (2) Technical Sgts. Michael Rux, right, and Brian Plauche close up a Thunderbird F-16C jet. John Kennedy/Special to the Daily News Map: Point Mugu Naval Air Weapons Station |
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