B-1 On Display At Selfridge Air Show

SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- Able to carry the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory, the B-1B Lancer is the backbone of America's long-range bomber force. A B-1B is scheduled to be on display at the 2011 Selfridge Air Show & Open House, Aug. 20-21 at the base.

The highly-versatile and multi-mission capable B-1 is in high demand in support of operations around the world.

"This is an awesome opportunity to see the Lancer up close and personal," said Lt. Col. Phillip Sheridan, vice wing commander of the 127th Wing, which is based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base and is the host organization of the base and the air show.

Sheridan was a B-1 pilot earlier in his military career. Currently, he flies the A-10 Thunderbolt II, an attack aircraft that is assigned to Selfridge. The A-10, along with the KC-135 Stratotanker, also flown by the Michigan Air National Guard at Selfridge, will be on display during the air show.

"The B-1 is incredibly loud, too, which makes it a perfect airplane for shows-of-force -- when it's not dropping its payload on the bad guys," Sheridan said.

During the air show, which is free to the public, the Air Force and the other military services showcase both equipment and missions that are assigned to Selfridge as well as bring in additional aircraft to demonstrate to the public, such as the Air Force's B-1 and F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft scheduled to be flown in for the show by a U.S. Navy demonstration team.

"The air show provides an opportunity for the military services assigned to Selfridge - Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard - to demonstrate the tools and the skills they use to defend our great nation," said Lt. Col. Sean Campbell, a pilot with the Michigan Air National Guard at Selfridge who is serving as the air show director. "It is also a way for the military community here at Selfridge to say thank you to our surrounding friends and neighbors for the positive relationship we have enjoyed with the community for many, many years."

Gates open for the air show at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 20-21. Flying will begin in the late morning both days and some three dozen or so aircraft will be on ground display, along with displays of ground-based equipment by the various military services and several agencies of the Dept. of Homeland Security, including U.S. Customs & Border Protection, which maintains a significant presence at Selfridge. Both parking and admission are free both days. Visitors are advised to arrive early, as traffic congestion can be heavy. No visitors will be admitted after 2 p.m. The show closes at 5 p.m. both days.

On Friday, Aug. 19, a dinner party and concert will help open the air show weekend. Eddie Money will headline the outdoor concert, held on the aircraft parking ramp at Selfridge. Concert tickets are $10 and may be purchased via www.selfridgeairshow.org.

The B-1 entered service with the Air Force in the mid-1980s. It holds almost 50 world records to speed, payload, range and time of climb in its class. It can carry a weapons payload of approximately 75,000 pounds and has a top speed in excess of 900 miles per hour. It is operated by a crew of four Airmen.

The 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard is the host organization at Selfridge, flying the KC-135 Stratotanker, an aerial refueler, and the A-10 Thunderbolt II, also known as the Warthog, which is an air-to-ground attack fighter. In addition to the Wing, Selfridge is home to numerous other military and federal agencies, which fly a variety of helicopters and small, light fixed-wing aircraft.

More information on the 127th Wing and Selfridge Air National Guard Base is available at www.127wg.ang.af.mil.