THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 6, 1995 TAG: 9510060488
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
Langley Air Force Base will hold its Community Appreciation Day '95, featuring the Thunderbirds, from 9 am. to 5 p.m. Saturday ``rain or shine,'' according to Langley officials.
Unless the base is threatened by flooding as a result of heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Opal, all ground events and static displays will proceed as scheduled, including a peek at the B-2 stealth bomber. The base is predicting rain through the morning hours Saturday, then clearing in the early afternoon.
The Thunderbirds, flying their F-16 Fighting Falcons, will perform their ``high'' show, provided they have an 8,000-foot ceiling and five miles of visibility.
With a lower ceiling of 3,500 feet, they still can perform what they call their ``low'' show, consisting of a series of diamond roll maneuvers and solo maneuvers.
With a 1,500-foot ceiling, the Thunderbirds can perform their ``flat'' show, also consisting of a series of diamond flat maneuvers and solo rolling maneuvers.
The daylong program will feature radio-controlled aircraft demonstrations at 9:05 a.m., a working military dog demonstration at 9:30 a.m., USAir DC-3 arrival at 9:40 a.m., opening ceremonies featuring the Air Force Academy ``Wings of Blue'' performance at 10:25 a.m., Marching Elites drill team at 10:30 a.m. and a Civil Air Patrol drill team at 10:50 a.m.
Also: F-117A stealth fighter performance, 11:15; C-130 assault landing, 11:30; Piper Cub aerial demonstration, 12:05; AN-2 Colt aerial demonstration, 12:25; SU-31 aerial demonstration, 12:55; USAir DC-3 departure, 1:25 p.m.; 1st Fighter Wing Fire Department pilot rescue extraction demonstration, 1:30; MiG-15 aerial demonstration, 1:45; F-15 East Coast Demonstration Team departs for Charleston AFB, S.C.; Canadian Air Force CF-18 aerial demonstration, 2:15; Thunderbirds ground ceremony begins, 3:00; Thunderbirds takeoff, 3:30.
Spectators are advised to monitor local television and radio stations for latest weather watches and warnings before driving to the show. For details, call 764-2018. by CNB