2022 Performers

Canadian CF-18

The CF-18 Demonstration team represents the aviators of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) who conduct and support operations at home and around the world every day. Showcasing the abilities of Canada’s multi-role fighter through an impressive aerobatic routine, the team attends air shows and conducts flypasts across Canada and the United States.

Every year, a new theme is chosen to highlight important milestones or ideas related to the military, Canada or aviation. This theme is then translated into an impressive paint scheme on the team’s CF-18 Demonstration jet and featured throughout the season, raising awareness and building interest amongst audiences in Canada’s Air Force.

U.S. Army Golden Knights

The Golden Knights have conducted more than 16,000 shows in 50 states and 48 countries, reaching an average of 60,000 people per show. The team has earned the U.S. Army 2,148 gold, 1,117 silver, and 693 bronze medals in national and international competition. Team members have also broken 348 world records.

The Golden Knights are one of only three Department of Defense-sanctioned aerial demonstration teams, along with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The team is composed of approximately 95 men and women, which includes four parachute units, an aviation unit and a headquarters. The demonstration teams, which use five dedicated aircraft, perform at more than 100 events per year. The tandem section is known for taking Soldiers, celebrities and heads of state on jumps, and the competition section focuses on winning national and international skydiving events.

A-10C Thunderbolt II

The A-10 is the first U.S. Air Force aircraft designed specifically for close air support of ground forces. It is named for the famous P-47 Thunderbolt, a fighter often used in a close air support role during the latter part of World War II. The A-10 is very maneuverable at low speeds and low altitudes to ensure accurate weapons delivery, and it carries the systems and armor needed to survive in this environment. It is intended for use against all ground targets, but specifically tanks and other armored vehicles. 107th Fighter Squadron, the Red Devils will be demonstrate their flying skills during the 2022 air show.

C-130 Hercules

Originally designed by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin) as an assault transport able to operate from unpaved airstrips, the C-130 Hercules made its first flight in August 1954. Over the next half century, the US Air Force used various versions of this versatile aircraft for aeromedical evacuation, mid-air refueling of helicopters, mid-air space capsule recovery, search and rescue, reconnaissance, as a gunship, and for many other missions.

North American F-100 Super Sabre

Developed as a follow-on to the F-86 Sabre used in the Korean War, the F-100 was the world’s first production airplane capable of flying faster than the speed of sound in level flight (760 mph). The prototype — the YF-100A — made its first flight on May 25, 1953, at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Of the 2,294 F-100s built before production ended in 1959, 1,274 were Ds, more than all the other series combined.

L-39C ALBATROS

The L-39 Albatros, a high-performance jet trainer, was developed by Czechoslovakia during the 1960’s as a successor to the L-29 Delfin. Built by Aero-Vodochody, it entered full-scale production in late 1972. It was designed for basic, advanced, and operational pilot training and for light attack missions.

P-51D Gentleman Jim / P-51D Swamp Fox

The Mustang was among the best and most well-known fighters used by the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Possessing excellent range and maneuverability, the P-51 operated primarily as a long-range escort fighter and also as a ground attack fighter-bomber. The Mustang served in nearly every combat zone during WWII, and later fought in the Korean War.

C-47 Dakota

By 1941, the old Air Corps had been transformed into the Army Air Forces, and it selected a modified version of the DC-3 — the C-47 Skytrain — to become its standard transport aircraft. The C-47 could carry up to 6,000 pounds of cargo. It could also hold a fully assembled jeep or a 37 mm cannon. As a troop transport, it carried 28 soldiers in full combat gear. As a medical airlift plane, it could accommodate 14 stretcher patients and three nurses. Seven basic versions were built, and the aircraft was given at least 22 designations, including the AC-47D gunship, the EC-47 electronic reconnaissance aircraft, the EC-47Q antiaircraft systems evaluation aircraft and the C-53 Skytrooper.

North American AT-6 “Texan”

The AT-6, known as the pilot maker,  was the last aircraft flown by American and Allied pilots before they would graduate pilot training and get their “Wings” during WWII. Pilots that trained flying the AT-6 would go on to fly legendary fighters such as the P-40, P-47, and P-51. The “Texan” was crucial in training Basic fighter fundamentals to WWII combat pilots. Now you can experience what it is like to fly in this stepping stone to WWII legends of airpower. Nearly 80 years later aspiring warbird pilots still have to make the AT-6 a training prerequisite to flying warbird fighters!