Air Show Organizers Scratch Warthog Demonstration

Organizers of the Nova Scotia International Air Show, scheduled for this weekend, are replacing an A-10 flight demonstration with an F-16. That decision came after a Nova Scotia woman, also the mother of a Canadian soldier killed in a 2002 friendly-fire accident, expressed concern that an A-10 demonstration should come on the heels of last Monday's fatal friendly-fire incident.

As ANN reported on Tuesday, it was an A-10 Thunderbolt, nicknamed Warthog by its crews, that mistakenly -- and tragically -- strafed and killed Pte. Mark Anthony Graham of the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment.

Associated Press International reports said the A-10 pilot was responding to a request for air support from ground forces under fire. These mission are called "close air support" because pilots fire at an enemy who is frequently in close proximity to the soldiers they are supporting.

The Canadian Press reports the decision by organizers to withdraw the A-10 was made in consultation with the US Air Force. Air show executive director Colin Stephenson said, "With an investigation underway we are very sensitive to the emotions that this type of incident invokes. At the same time we are sorry to be cancelling such a popular and interesting aircraft presentation. Many fans have e-mailed and called asking that we still bring it and [I'm] sure it will be back in the future."

The A-10 demonstration was to have included a simulated attack "complete with a pyrotechnics display," according to the Halifax Daily News.

Ironically, it was an F-16 in April 2002 that dropped the bomb accidentally killing 4 Canadian soldiers. In fact, the Falcon is a regular at the Nova Scotia Air Show -- it has appeared for the last three years without a complaint.

FMI: www.nsairshow.ca/