F-22 Raptor, F-16 Viper, U.S. Army Golden Knights And More
Headline Show
The first ever Cocoa Beach Air Show is expected to draw
thousands of visitors to Florida's Space Coast October 3rd and 4th,
with high-flying military and civilian acts performing over the
Atlantic Ocean.
Free and open to the public, the event will be visible from the
beach with the show center at Alan Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach. The
demonstrations will start at noon both days, allowing spectators to
see acts such as the F-16 Viper Demo, U.S. Army Golden Knights
Parachute Team, the 920th Rescue Wing and a special appearance by
the U.S. Air Force's newest fighter, the F-22 Raptor.
"We have managed to bring together some of the very best air
performers in the country for the inaugural show," said Bryan
Lilley, president of the Cocoa Beach Air Show. "Everyone from
serious aviation and military enthusiasts to first-time air show
attendees are going to be impressed by the collection of aerial
talent on display."
The F-22 Raptor is considered the most advanced fighter aircraft
in the world. It combines the best in stealth and maneuverability
making it capable to perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground
missions.
Also performing will be the locally-based 920th Rescue Wing.
Stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, the 920th is the Air Force
Reserve Command's premier combat search and rescue unit. Their
missions include locating and recovering U.S. Armed Forces
personnel during military operations, rescue support for NASA Space
Shuttle missions, search and rescue support for civilians lost or
in distress and lending support in humanitarian, and disaster
relief operations such as Hurricane Katrina.
Attendees will observe first-hand how the citizen Airmen of the
920th deploy into a combat zone, support the NASA missions, refuel
two helicopters simultaneously while in flight; and how they
respond to massive humanitarian efforts when nature strikes like
the work they did during Hurricane Katrina.
The event is expected to fill Brevard's beaches for the
weekend.
"We anticipate this to be a great family-friendly event," said
Space Coast Office of Tourism executive director Rob Varley. "With
unobstructed views, plenty of space for seating, beautiful sand and
cool water, the beach makes the ideal venue for watching an air
show. It will be a weekend full of affordable and exciting
entertainment."
While in the Space Coast area, aviation and military enthusiast
also should consider spending some time at two of the area's top
attractions: Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum and the Kennedy
Space Center.