By Karen Bloom
And for many, the unofficial start of summer fun begins with a trip to Jones Beach to watch high flying aerial maneuvers at the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Air Show.
For the many thousands who gaze at the skies over the Atlantic Ocean at Jones Beach, this spectacular two-day display of flying stunts is the kick-off to summer.
This year, the Air Force's legendary aerial demonstration squadron - the USAF Thunderbirds - returns to Jones Beach on Memorial Day weekend to headline the two-day event that draws nearly half a million people each year.
The Thunderbirds are sure to have visitors "oohing" and "aahing" at their twists and turns and displays of precision. Adding to the fun are the many other performers,who will join the
legendary demonstration squadron: the Canadian Forces Snowbirds; the U.S. Army Parachute Team - the Golden Knights; the Air Force Reserve Biplane Show with Ed Hamill; the Geico Skytypers, a squadron of six vintage World War II airplanes; American Airpower Museum Historic Warbirds; Warbirds Over Long Island, and the John Klatt-Air National Guard Aerobatic Team. Civilian demonstrators include Sean Tucker and Team Oracle, named a "Living Legend of Flight" in 2003 by the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum; Pilot Bill Reesman and the Red Bull MiG-17F; Aerobatic Pilot Matt Chapman; and the Red Bull Helicopter performing back-flips, barrel rolls, and more.
"This patriotic, family event is a proud tradition for Bethpage Federal Credit Union," said Bethpage President and CEO Kirk Kordeleski. "We're excited to kick off the summer season once again in the company of the New York State Parks' Department, the Thunderbirds, the many precision aerial teams, and always, in the fellowship of Long Islanders and the thousands of spectators attracted to this event."
The crowd-pleasing event is always a big draw, second only to the Fourth of July fireworks, according to New York State Parks spokesman George Gorman Jr. Last year's show broke attendance records with 440,000 visitors over the two days.
The 2009 Thunderbirds team is made up of 12 officers and 120 enlisted Air Force members. The Thunderbirds fly Lockheed Martin's advanced F-16C, remaining true to their mission to showcase the latest advancements in America's fighter technology.
The air show takes place Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. It is free to the public but the standard $8 vehicle use fee will be collected each day upon entry. Visitors are advised to arrive before 1 p.m. for the best parking spots. For more information, call (516) 785-1600 or (631) 321-3510 or www.jonesbeachairshow.com.
U.S. Marine Corps Landing
The action in the skies is not just over Jones Beach. Eisenhower Park's Kite Field will be the landing area for a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter squadron on Saturday, May 23, as part of New York City's "Fleet Week 2009" activities. The event, billed "Raid New York" by the United States Marine Corps, begins at 10 a.m.
AH-1W Cobra and UH-1N helicopters will perform an area sweep, and CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters will transport the raid force Marines to the landing zone. Marines will perform an assault demonstration, after which helicopters will land and will be on public display, along with the weapons typically used by a Marine Corps rifle platoon.
Marines supporting this event are part of a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp LeJeune, N.C. and have recently returned from Afghanistan.
A restored UH-34D Seahorse helicopter, which was used for combat rescue in Vietnam, will join in the landing. This helicopter is provided by Marine Helicopter Squadron 361 Veterans Association, Inc.
The demonstration is free to the public. It takes place on the Kite Field, just south of the Veterans Memorial in Eisenhower Park, with parking at fields 6 and 6A.
