A Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration showcases how they perform an out-the-door water rescue of a person in distress from a helicopter hovering overhead. The demo begins with one of the famed Coast Guard rescue swimmers jumping from the helicopter as it hovers over 20 feet above the water. The swimmer simulates stabilizing the person in distress before hosting them up into the helicopter....
Scott "Scooter" Yoak will deliver a breathtaking aerobatic performance in his impeccably restored P-51D Mustang, known as "Quick Silver." More than just a warbird, this aircraft is a flying tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. Every detail of its striking black-and-chrome paint scheme has symbolic meaning: the black represents the mourning of those who never came home, while the silver shines in honor of the veterans who returned. The polished nose and spinner evoke the helmets of ground troops, and the stars and stripes subtly integrated into the design honor the unity and sacrifice of all service members. Scooter’s dynamic routine brings the Mustang’s legacy to life, combining the power and agility of this iconic...
In a NORAD intercept demonstration, two U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagle fighter jets simulate the real-world response to an unauthorized aircraft entering a Presidential Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone. The scenario begins with a civilian aircraft violating restricted airspace, prompting NORAD to scramble the F-15s to intercept. The Eagles rapidly close in, establish visual identification, and perform standard intercept procedures—including non-verbal commands and escort maneuvers—to guide the intruding aircraft out of the area or force it to land if necessary. The demo highlights NORAD’s critical role in safeguarding national airspace and enforcing airspace security....
The A-10 Thunderbolt II better known as the "Warthog" is a single-pilot attack aircraft designed for short takeoffs and landings from primitive airfields. The A-10 can operate nearly anywhere and provide ground troops with close air support. The entire aircraft was largely designed around its nose gun, a 30 mm Avenger cannon. The seven-barrel rotary cannon measures nine feet long and fires 30mm armor-piercing shells at a rate of nearly 4,000 rounds per minute. As a result it has been given the nickname “Tank killer”. The Avenger cannon also represents over 15 percent of the aircraft's weight. When the gun is removed for maintenance, the A-10's tail must be supported to keep the nose from tipping up....
The Polaris Program's Ghost Squadron's fleet of jets provides training opportunities for astronauts from Polaris Program missions and other spaceflight initiatives. Training in a jet allows astronauts to enhance their crew resource management & navigation skills in a high-G, dynamic, and high-consequence environment – providing valuable real-world experience ahead of missions to space. Click here to learn more...
