If you are a retired or an active Naval Aviator or Flight Officer, you are invited to join us for the Fargo AirSho Navy Aviators Luncheon at Noon on Friday August 12, 2011 in the Fargo Air Museum. There is no charge for the luncheon or practice show. This event is being sponsored by Northrop Grumman and will be a great opportunity to meet and visit with fellow aviators before the weekend AirSho activity begins.

You must register to attend this event. If your spouse or care-taker will be joining you please complete the form for each attendee.

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Bring this coupon to the Air Museum and receive one FREE child admission (age 11-17) with one paid adult admission. Redeemable only at Air Museum. Limit one child per one paid adult admission while supplies last. Not valid with any other offer. Offer expires 08/07/11 at 11:59 pm.

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“Bringing America’s Navy Home” with Fargo Navy Week, Fargo AirSho

America’s Navy is “coming home” to Fargo in conjunction with the Fargo AirSho.

The U.S. Navy selected Fargo as one of only 21 metropolitan areas around the country to host a Navy Week during 2011.Fargo Navy Week is scheduled for Aug. 8-14, 2011.

Throughout Fargo Navy Week, Naval officers and sailors will meet with business, civic, education and government leaders, participate in community events, engage local veterans and complete public service projects. In addition, Horizon, a seven-piece contemporary music ensemble of Navy Band Great Lakes, will provide free performances of current Top 40, classic rock hits, Motown, country, funk and jazz around the community.

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• Eight VIP show tickets for one day
• Catered delicious food and beverages
• One VIP parking pass
• Eight wrist bands for the Commander’s Chalet
• Private chalet entrance and restroom facilities

The Fargo AirSho is honored to be include in this year’s events celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation.

The Centennial of Naval Aviation marks 100 years of progress and achievement. One hundred years ago, on May 8, 1911 Navy Capt. Washington Irving Chambers, officer in charge of aviation, prepared contract specifications to purchase the Navy’s first aircraft. In the 100 years since, Naval Aviation has grown from a tactical afterthought to a primary instrument of America’s national security. 2011, marks the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation – a historic milestone unparalleled by any other celebration.

For more great information please visit these resources:
www.navalaviation100.org
www.public.navy.mil

The Horsemen have announced that for the 2011 air show season they will fly different historic warbirds at select air show sites.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of US Naval aviation, The Horsemen will fly their three-ship routine with a WWII Corsair as lead aircraft and two F8F Bearcats on the wing.

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The F-16 has been a part of the United States Air Force since 1979, assigned to our Active Duty, Air National Guard and Reserve forces, as well as the Air Forces of many Allied Nations. Affectionately known as the “Viper”, the F-16 and its support crews have accomplished its mission with precision and expertise in multiple conflicts over the past three decades, and are currently partnering with Joint and Coalition forces to win today’s fight!

Since 9/11, Air Combat Command and the United States Air Force have provided over 681,000 air missions in today’s Joint fight supporting the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and our allies! In 2010 alone, your United Sates Air Force flew over 510,000 hours supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Viper pioneered “fly-by-wire” technology which uses a side-stick controller to relay extremely accurate inputs from the pilot to the flight control computer, attaining maximum performance without exceeding the aircraft’s capabilities.

Keeping the F-16 on the cutting edge is a Helmet-Mounted Cueing System which enables the pilot to lock or “cue” enemy targets simply by looking towards them!

These upgraded jets also include multiple data-link communication systems, allowing pilots to exchange secure information simultaneously with airborne controllers, ground troops, and other allied forces. Now, the most pertinent battlefield information is displayed on the pilot’s visor, providing a “First look, First shot” engagement capability.

Any way it is configured, the F-16 Fighting Falcon enables Air Combat Command to provide over 65 percent of the combat air support missions needed in today’s Joint fight! During a ground attack mission, the Viper will carry bombs, missiles, and extra fuel tanks into combat. With the push of a button, the pilot can jettison the bombs and fuel tanks, shedding over 12,000 pounds, transforming it into the lethal air-to-air fighter you will see displayed at air shows around the world. In this configuration, the F-16 weighs less than 25,000 pounds. Coupled with the powerful F-110 engine that produces over 28,000 pounds of thrust, this maneuverable fighter will actually accelerate in a vertical climb!

While our Viper West Aerial Demonstrations show how well the F-16 can maneuver in combat, what they cannot show is its striking power, or the accuracy and lethality of the weapons it carries. The Viper can hit targets well outside of visual range while flying faster than the speed of sound. Coupled with innovative, motivated, versatile, and adaptable Airmen, your United States Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon is applying capabilities never before seen, making it the world’s best multi-role fighter, and represents your Air Force’s dedication to AIM HIGH, FLY, FIGHT, and WIN! Its superiority has greatly increased Air Combat Command’s ability to meet its commitments as a quick reaction force, helping to give the Air Force its Global Reach, Global Power, and above all, its ability to meet any challenge… anywhere… under any circumstances.

The A-10 West Demonstration Team is a select group of professionals dedicated to showing the extreme capabilities of the A-10 aircraft through exceptional aerial maneuvers. Our mission is to demonstrate the capabilities of the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the professional competence of the U.S. Air Force personnel, to positively affect USAF recruiting and retention efforts, and to promote community and international relations.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is an highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. The aircraft can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings (303.3 meters) with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers) visibility. The wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10 pilots can conduct their missions during darkness.

The Thunderbolt IIs have Night Vision Imaging Systems, or NVIS, goggle compatible single-seat cockpits forward of their wings and a large bubble canopy which provides pilots all-around vision. The pilots are protected by titanium armor that also protects parts of the flight-control system. The redundant primary structural sections allow the aircraft to enjoy better survivability during close air support than did previous aircraft.

The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. Manual systems back up their redundant hydraulic flight-control systems. This permits pilots to fly and land when hydraulic power is lost.

The Thunderbolt II can be serviced and operated from bases with limited facilities near battle areas. Many of the aircraft’s parts are interchangeable left and right, including the engines, main landing gear and vertical stabilizers.

Avionics equipment includes multi-band communications; Global Positioning System and inertial navigations systems; infrared and electronic countermeasures against air-to-air and air-to-surface threats. And, it has a Pave Penny laser spot tracker system; a heads-up display to display flight and weapons delivery information; and a low altitude safety and targeting enhancement system, which provides constantly computed impact and release points for accurate ordnance delivery. There is also a low-altitude autopilot and a ground collision avoidance system.

The A-10 is currently undergoing the precision engagement modification, which adds upgraded cockpit displays, moving map, hands on throttle and stick, digital stores management, LITENING and Sniper advanced targeting pod integration, situational awareness data link or SADL, variable message format, or VMF, GPS-guided weapons, and upgraded DC power. Precision engagement modified aircraft are designated as the A-10C.

The Thunderbolt II can employ a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs, cluster bomb units, laser guided bombs, joint direct attack munitions or JDAM), wind corrected munitions dispenser or WCMD, AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, rockets, illumination flares, and the GAU-8/A 30mm cannon, capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute to defeat a wide variety of targets including tanks.