SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- The U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team will headline the next air show at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Selfridge will provide a free air show and open house Aug. 30-31, 2014. An air show will not be offered in 2013 due to operational mission requirements, said leaders of the 127th Wing. Being able to demonstrate our capabilities, personnel and equipment at an air show is a high priority at Selfridge, but our first responsibility always remains being ready and available to respond to the directions of our commander in chief, said Col. Michael Thomas, commander of the 127th Wing, which is the host unit at Selfridge. The 2014 will mark the first time since 2009 that the Blue Angels have performed at Selfridge. We are very pleased that our next air show will feature one of the militarys premier demonstration teams in the Blue Angels, along with the full range of aircraft stationed here at Selfridge, said Maj. Brian Wyrzykowski, a Selfridge pilot who will serve as the 2014 air show director. Aircraft stationed at Selfridge include the A-10 Thunderbolt II and KC-135 Stratotanker, a fighter and aerial refueler, respectively, flown by the 127th Wing; the CH-47 Chinook operated by the Michigan Army National Guard; the HH-65 Dolphin flown by the U.S. Coast Guard; and a variety of light fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft operated by U.S. Customs & Border Protection. Options for the public interested in learning more about military air power in the near term include a visit to the Selfridge Military and Air Museum, which is located on the base and features about three dozen military aircraft, three cockpit simulators and an extensive collection of uniforms, weapon systems and other military artifacts. The museum is open on weekends during April to October and is also available by appointment for tour groups. The 127th Wing is also developing a limited public tour program of the base, details of which will be announced in early 2013 via the web site 127wg.ang.af.mil. Information on the museum is available at (586) 239-5035. Comprised of approximately 1,600 personnel and flying both the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker, the 127th Wing supports Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Special Operation Command by providing highly-skilled Airmen to missions domestically and overseas. The 127th Wing is the host unit at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which marked its 95th year of continuous military air operations in 2012. Flying the F/A-18 Hornet, the mission of the Blue Angels is to enhance recruiting efforts and to represent U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps aviation to the U.S. and to serve as international ambassadors of good will. Additional information on the Blue Angels is available at blueangels.navy.mil.
Posted on: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 01:50:36 +0000
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