THUNDERBIRDS SET FOR MUGU AIR SHOW ALSO WILL FEATURE F-22 RAPTOR FIGHTER PLANE.Byline: ERIC LEACHStaff Writer POINT MUGU -- Excitement is building for the Point Mugu Air Show next weekend at 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, with demonstrations scheduled by the Air Force Thunderbirds and the new F-22 Raptor “F-22” redirects here. For other uses, see F-22 (disambiguation). The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation American fighter aircraft that utilizes fourth-generation stealth technology. stealth fighter. The two-day show is free, but because of heightened security at the base since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, visitors will be subject to searches and are prohibited from bringing certain items on the base. Point Mugu officials say it's hard to predict how many people will attend because it depends partly on the weather. But the show has drawn more than 100,000 visitors in past years, and this year includes some special attractions, include the Thunderbirds jet acrobatics acrobatics Art of jumping, tumbling, and balancing. The art is of ancient origin; acrobats performed leaps, somersaults, and vaults at Egyptian and Greek events. Acrobatic feats were featured in the commedia dell'arte theatre in Europe and in jingxi (“Peking team with a couple of new female pilots. "It's going to be the first public flight demonstration for the F-22 Raptor at this Navy base and the third in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. ," said Vance Vasquez, a base spokesman. "I think the public is really going to be excited to see it. I know I am." The Point Mugu Space Fair started in 1963 and the name was changed in 1974 to the Point Mugu Air Show. In the past, the event featured air-to-air and ground-to-air rocket launches and bomb-dropping demonstrations. The event has run into some trouble over the past decade, with cancellations four times in the past nine years, sometimes for want of a headlining jet aerobatics aerobatics Sport of performing maneuvers such as rolls, loops, stalls, spins, and dives with an airplane. As an organized sport, rather than as an air show attraction (“stunt flying”), aerobatics began international competition in 1960 under the auspices of the team like the Thunderbirds or the Navy's Blue Angels. In 2002, the show was canceled after the first day, when a QF-4 Phantom jet crashed, killing both crew members, and in 2003 the show was axed for lack of a headlining act and partly because of the war in Iraq. Ventura County sailors have been scrambling to get ready since they learned late last year that the Air Force Thunderbirds with their F-16 Fighting Falcons The F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American multirole jet fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force. Designed as a lightweight fighter, it evolved into a successful multirole aircraft. would be available this spring. Teri Reid, a base spokeswoman, said the show is an important public relations public relations, activities and policies used to create public interest in a person, idea, product, institution, or business establishment. By its nature, public relations is devoted to serving particular interests by presenting them to the public in the most event for Naval Base Ventura County, giving visitors an exciting glimpse of what goes on there and a chance to meet the military personnel. "This is a chance for the general public to come in and see what we do and talk to the sailors about the defense of our country," Reid said. Because of security concerns, visitors should bring as little as possible with them and should expect screening, officials said. All vehicles and all visitors entering the base are subject to search. Alcohol is prohibited along with illegal drugs, weapons and explosives. Prohibited items include backpacks, coolers, pets, glass bottles, skateboards, roller skates roller skates npl → patines mpl de rueda roller skates roll npl → patins mpl à roulettes roller skates roll npl , scooters and bicycles. eric.leach@dailynews.com (805) 583-7602 If you go The Point Mugu Air Show is held at the ocean in Ventura County near the southern end of Las Posas Road, which can be reached from the Ventura (101) Freeway. Naval Air Station A Naval Air Station is an airbase of the United States Navy. Such bases are used to house Naval Aviation squadrons and support commands. List of Functioning US Naval Air Stations
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