The 105th Airlift Wing is the host unit for Stewart Air National Guard Base. Located in Newburgh, New York, the 105th has been located at Stewart since 1983. The C-17 Globemaster III is the most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to bases. The aircraft can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions. The inherent flexibility and performance of the C-17 force improves the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States. The C-17 measures 174 feet long with a wingspan of 169 feet, 10 inches. The aircraft is powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines and operated by a crew of three (pilot, co-pilot, and loadmaster).

The Rhino Demo Team showcases the mobility, versatility, and power of the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18F Super Hornet, nicknamed the “Rhino.” The nickname was born out of a need to differentiate between the larger, more capable Super Hornet and the smaller, original “Legacy” Hornet during carrier-based operations. The Super Hornet has been in service with the U.S. Navy for over two decades, and through constant upgrades and modernization, this multi-role carrier-based aircraft continues to excel in the air-to-air and air-to ground arenas.

During their demonstration, the aircrew will experience nearly eight times the force of gravity, accelerate to speeds up to 750 mph, and showcase the incredible maneuvering capability of the F-18. Many of the maneuvers seen are used by Naval Aviators in the execution of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, both in training and in combat.

The Rhino Demo Team is based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and the aircrew and maintainers are members of the Navy’s largest squadron: VFA-106, known as the “Gladiators.” The aircrew serve as instructors, teaching new aircrew how to fly and tactically employ the Super Hornet. The maintenance personnel come from a variety of skill sets, known in the Navy as “rates,” and help to fix and maintain over 50 aircraft.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a United States and Canada bi-national organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America. Aerospace warning includes the detection, validation, and warning of attack against North America whether by aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, through mutual support arrangements with other commands.

NORAD will conduct an intercept procedures display, showcasing how its air defense fighters respond to threats to America and Canada. This intercept is done for educational purposes, helping to bring awareness to pilots on the importance of checking their NOTAMs, respecting TFRs, and the actions they should take if they were ever intercepted.

The United States Marines F-35B Demo Team is comprised of active-duty Naval Aviators flying the F-35B Lightning II and the maintainers who keep the aircraft flying. The F-35B is the world’s first short-takeoff, vertical landing, or “STOVL,” 5^th generation fighter. The aerial demonstration showcases the aircraft’s performance in both its conventional and STOVL modes of flight.

The team has two components, representing the East Coast and the West Coast. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501), also known as the “Warlords,” are stationed in Beaufort, South Carolina. Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 502 (VMFAT-502), also known as the “Flying Nightmares,” are stationed in Miramar, California. These two components allow for a combined area of responsibility, ensuring that the F-35B DEMO Team can support aerial demonstrations, flyovers, and static displays at events nationwide. Both VMFAT-501 and VMFAT-502 are the Marine Corps’ F-35B Fleet Replacement Squadrons, tasked with conducting core introduction Fighter/Attack training to produce capable pilots and maintainers ready to serve in the Fleet.

The Navy Legacy Flight Foundation program matches today’s frontline military fighters with their predecessors in close flight maneuvers at air shows nationwide. USN F/A-18F “Rhino” fighters, E/A-18G “Growler” Electronic Countermeasure aircraft, and F-35C Lightning II fly on the wings of World War II, Korean and Vietnam era fighters in an amazing tribute to Naval Aviators both past and present.

The U.S. Navy’s TACDEMO teams from VFA-106, VFA-122, and VAQ-129 are the U.S. Navy’s Legacy Flight teammates. These talented active-duty aviators fly the dynamic Super Hornet tactical demonstrations that precede our Navy Legacy flights. Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA 122), also known as the “Flying Eagles,” are the West Coast team and Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), also known as the “Gladiators,” are the East Coast team. Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129), also known as the “Vikings,” are the EA-18G team. Also joining the Legacy Flight program is the Carrier Variant F-35C Lightning II.

Starting in 2022, all types of the U.S. Navy training aircraft will also be doing static demonstrations at air shows and performing Legacy Flights with the fighters and legacy warbird aircraft.

The Navy approves a select group of civilian pilots to fly their warbirds in formation with the TACDEMO and F-35C aircraft. Intensive training and preparation are the focus of a week-long mission each spring to prepare the pilots for safe and enjoyable demonstrations all over the U.S.

Photo by LSB Photography

The 106th Rescue Wing deploys worldwide to provide combat search and rescue coverage for U.S. and allied forces. In December 1994, the 106th established the record for the longest over water helicopter rescue mission when it saved a Ukrainian sailor in the icy waters off the North Atlantic. The 106th may be best known for a mission during a 1991 storm made famous by the movie “The Perfect Storm.” The HH-60 is tasked to perform day and night personnel recovery operations in hostile environments to recover isolated personnel during war, civil search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster response, humanitarian assistance, security cooperation/aviation advisory, NASA space flight support, and rescue command and control.

Photo by LSB Photography

On May 25, 1953, just six years after the U.S. Air Force became its own branch of service, the Thunderbirds were born as the Air Force’s official air demonstration team. The team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke AFB, Arizona. Over the years and with many different aircraft, the Thunderbirds have continued to represent those who deserve the most credit: the hardworking Airmen who serve our country every day.

The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The demonstration is a mix of six aircraft performing formation flying and solo routines. The four-ship Diamond formation showcases the precision and training of U.S. Air Force Pilots, as well as the gracefulness of the F-16. The two solos display the power and maximum capabilities of the mighty F-16 Fighting Falcon, a frontline fighter.

The officers and enlisted Airmen who make up the Thunderbirds embody professionalism and skill. Eight officers serve as their highly experienced pilots, and four serve in critical roles from medical support to public affairs. The more than 120 enlisted members represent nearly 30 different career fields and serve as the backbone of the team, ensuring all jets and operations are in top shape at all times.

Photo by LSB Photography

As the Navy’s first stealth fighter and the world’s only 5th Generation, long-range stealth strike fighter, the F-35C was designed and built explicitly for aircraft carrier operations. The F-35C is operated exclusively by the U.S. Department of the Navy and brings radar-evading stealth capability to the carrier deck for the first time in U.S. naval aviation history. With stealth technology, advanced sensors, supersonic speed, weapons capacity and superior range, the F-35C is the most advanced fighter to ever operate aboard a carrier deck.

Photo by David Daris

With a top speed of 1,200 mph, the F-35 is even capable of setting off sonic booms! The supersonic, multi-role F-35 represents a quantum leap in air dominance capability with enhanced lethality and survivability in hostile, anti-access airspace environments.

The F-35 has the most powerful and comprehensive integrated sensor package of any fighter aircraft in history, giving pilots 360-degree access to “real-time” battlefield information. The information gathered by F-35 sensors can be securely shared with commanders at sea, in the air or on the ground, providing a comprehensive view of ongoing operations.

Photo by Todd R. McQueen

The United States Army Parachute Team, known as the Golden Knights, is a combination of expert teams and Soldiers brought together by their love of skydiving. This includes parachute teams, aircraft pilots, and those who handle jump logistics behind the scenes.

For over fifty-six years, members of the U. S. Army Parachute Team have been marking the milestones of achievement and an evolution of excellence serving as “Ambassadors” of the Army’s only official Demonstration team. The Golden Knights portray the image of being the most formidable parachuting competitors and demonstrators in the world today. If you mention the name “Golden Knights” to someone today in any of the fifty states, and most likely what comes to mind is a phenomenal demonstration they watched in past years at an air show or sporting event. But if you mention it to a sport parachutist, they will most probably think of the competitors they jumped against or heard about in parachute meets across the country or abroad.

The Strategic Army Command Parachute Team, or STRAC, was formed in 1959 by nineteen “Airborne” Soldiers from various military units. Brigadier General Joseph Stilwell Jr. was responsible for gathering these Soldiers with the original intent to compete during the Cold War effort. This new U.S. All-Army team swept the international competition circuit, in what was then the Soviet dominated sport of skydiving. Later that year, on November 1, this newly formed team performed their first demonstration in Danville, Virginia.

In 1961, the Department of Defense announced on June 15, that the STRAC team would become the United States Army Parachute Team. The team is one of three authorized DoD aerial demonstration teams, along with the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels.

On October 15, 1962, the team earned the nickname the “Golden Knights” on the competition field of battle. Golden, signifying the gold medals the team had won; Knights, proving that they were world champions and the fact that the Team had “conquered the skies.”

Photo by LSB Photography