Dyess adds to the list of performers, displays at 2015 Dyess Big Country Airfest

  • Published
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Added to the list of performers for the 2015 Big Country Airfest are the U.S. Army Golden Knights, the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue, and a United States Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier.

The Golden Knights is the Army's official aerial demonstration team. They perform throughout the United States, conducting parachute demonstrations at air shows, sporting event and other special events, while the Wings of Blue Demonstration Team represents the Air Force and U.S. Air Force Academy in precision parachuting, traveling around the country each year to more than 50 special events in front of over two million spectators.

The AV-8B Harrier represents, arguably, one of the greatest breakthroughs in aircraft technology. The aircraft is capable of performing multiple missions, which include attacking a destroying surface and air targets, escorting helicopters, engaging in air-to-air defense, providing reconnaissance and applying offensive and defensive support with its arsenal of missiles, bombs and onboard cannon.

In addition, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, a B-52 Stratofortress, a C-17 Globemaster, an F-15E Strike Eagle, an F-22 Raptor, a T-6 Texan, a T-38 Talon, and an RC-135 will be shown in static displays during the airshow.

In December, Dyess officials announced that the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will join the installation's B-1B Lancers and C-130J Super Hercules to headline the airshow.

"We are excited to welcome our teammates from across the Air Force as well as our sister services to the Airfest," said Capt. Christopher Miller, 7th Bomb Wing airshow project officer. "Our show is designed to present America's airpower, a demonstration that would be incomplete without the support of these units. Spectators will see first-hand how each of these airframes contributes to the joint operating environment, ensuring the security of our great nation."

Moreover, Miller emphasized that while the event will display military partnerships, it is also representative of partnerships that exist between the Armed Forces and communities across the nation such as Abilene that enhance the Department of Defense's mission capability.

"The support we receive from Big Country year-round, year after year, is tremendous. We're looking forward to enhancing the already outstanding relationship we have with the community, bringing everyone together here at Dyess for the airshow. The Airfest gives us an opportunity to introduce people from the surrounding communities and beyond to our Airmen, to exhibit our modern weapon systems and capabilities, and to further their understanding of our mission."

The 2015 Dyess Big Country Airfest will take place May 2-3 at Dyess Air Force Base.
Additional information on the airshow, including a schedule of events and photos and fact sheets for aircraft appearing at the show, can be found by visiting www.dyess.af.mil.