After a two year hiatus, the Offutt Air Force Base Defenders of Freedom Air & Space Show is back, and ready to put on quite the demonstration. Over the two day event, over 150,000 people are expected to come to Offutt AFB to marvel at the capabilities of strategic air defenses of old and new.
Major Hunter Horste is the show's director and tells NewsRadio 1110 KFAB that they have an impressive lineup this year. "What we have are the F-22 and F-35 demo teams coming this year, so they'll be doing their own demo. Then they'll be doing the heritage flight where they take off with a P-38." The F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning II pilots will show off each of the fighter aircraft's stealth, speed and maneuverability.
Those attending will also get the chance to see such historic planes as a B-52 Stratofortress, Mig-17 and the T-33 Ace Maker. Other events include exhibits from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) organizations, ground displays of war birds, food, drinks and a kids area.
Horste says if you want to park on base, there is limited availability. "If you come down through Capehart Road, you can come in through our STRATCOM gate and we'll park you in parking lots that are here on base. However we do have four shuttles that are running all day long." Those shuttles will be located at Southroads Mall, Bellevue East High School, Bellevue West High School and Bellevue University.
At the end of the show on Sunday, organizers will honor Offutt's namesake and Omaha native, Lt. Jarvis Offutt, who died while serving with the UK's Royal Air Force in World War I.
Gates open at 8:00 AM on both Saturday and Sunday with flights starting around noon. Full details can be found here.