|
United States
Air Force
Office of Public Affairs, 917th
Wing, U.S. Air Force Reserve
1000 Davis Ave. E., Bldg. #
6803, Room 229
Barksdale AFB, LA 71110-2287
Commercial (318) 456-9181/8145,
DSN 781-9181/8145, FAX (318) 456-7444
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2004
Release 04-04-01
Open House at Alexandria International
Airport
BARKSDALE AFB, LA— In conjunction with Hawgsmoke 2004, an A-10
biennial bombing and tactical gunnery competition, an Open House is
scheduled for May 1 at Alexandria International Airport located on
the grounds of England Air Park. The open house is sponsored by the
England Air Park and the 917th Wing, Barksdale AFB, La. Gates will
open to the public at 8 a.m., close at 1 p.m. and is free to the
public.
Demonstrations include the 12th Air Force Demo team and Maj. Rob
“Narc” Brogan, who will perform a single-ship A-10 demonstration at
11 a.m.; Retired Gen. Regis Ushcler, who will fly his P-51 Mustang
“Gunfighter” as part of the Air Combat Command Heritage Program
linking the past with the present at 11:45 a.m.; and a fly-in by the
Experimental Aircraft Association from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Following
the A-10 demonstration, General Ushcler will take off, join with the
A-10s and make several passes for the Open House event.
“This
airshow and open house is scheduled to say, ‘Thank you’ to the
people of central Louisiana who have been so supportive of the
military over the years,” said Lt. Col. James “Skid” Marks, 47th
Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations. Several military
aircraft will be on static display the entire morning to include the
F-15 and F-16, the A-10, T-37, T-38, and F-104 Starfighter. Several
Army units from Fort Polk, La., are also expected to attend and
display their helicopters and other military vehicles. Other
displays will include a car show and quite possibly more than 100
EAA aircraft.
“The
community has been very supportive of the Alexandria International
Airport and England Air Park since the closing of the England Air
Force Base,” said Airport Manager Scott Gammel, England Airport
Authority. “This is just one way we can give back to them.”
For
more information, contact Ms. Jessica D’Aurizio, 917th Wing Public
Affairs, Barksdale AFB, La., at (318) 456-8145.
-917WG-
Sept. 28,
2003
Release 03-09-02
A-10s return to
Alexandria for Hawgsmoke 2004
BARKSDALE AFB, La. – Hawgsmoke 2004, the bi-annual A-10 bombing and
tactical gunnery competition, is scheduled for April 29 to May 2 at
England Airpark in Alexandria, La., hosted by Barksdale’s 47th
Fighter Squadron and 917th Wing.
“Hawgsmoke is an intense flying
competition and an opportunity to share in the camaraderie and
legacy of the world’s premier Close Air Support Fighter,” said Lt.
Col. Jim Macaulay, 47th Fighter Squadron director of
operations and Hawgsmoke project officer.
Over 70 A-10s, commonly called “Warthawgs,” from every
unit across the country and around the globe will return to
Alexandria to line the ramp with “pig iron,” on Thursday, April 29.
Teams will compete in conventional and tactical gunnery competition
on Friday, followed by an airpark open house, golf tournament and
awards ceremony on Saturday.
“England Airpark and Alexandria, La., share a special
kinship with America’s military and the A-10 Thunderbolt II,” he
said. “Hawgsmoke 2004 will honor the history of the A-10 at
Alexandria and the phenomenal people that flew, fixed and supported
them in Rapides Parish.”
The first Warthawgs arrived at England AFB in 1980 and
were flown by the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, the “Flying
Tigers.” The base closed in 1992 following the Wing’s brilliant
performance in the Gulf War, but remains a vital asset in Close Air
Support training held at nearby Fort Polk, La.
Interested media should contact
Jessica D’Aurizio, 318-456-8145, by April 23 to coordinate access to
the facilities and accreditation.
-917th-
|
