An F-22A Raptor fighter jet flies above Fort Lauderdale, Fla., during the 2007 McDonald’s Air and Sea Show on May 6. The Raptor is the Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft and combines stealth, supercruise, maneuverability and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability to create an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities. The Raptor performs both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions allowing full realization of operational concepts vital to the 21st century Air Force. The Raptor is designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances and defend threats attempting to deny access to our nation’s Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The Raptor cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SPIRIT

A B-2 Spirit multi-role stealth bomber flies above Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., during the 2007 McDonald’s Air and Sea Show on May 6. The technologically advanced, modern B-2 is capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions anywhere on the globe in a short time through previously impenetrable defenses. The only B-2 operational base in the Air Force is located at Whiteman Air Force, Mo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
THUNDERBOLT

An A-10 Thunderbolt II jet flies above Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., during the 2007 McDonald’s Air and Sea Show on May 6. The simple yet effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitudes and are highly accurate weapons-delivery platforms that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. The first A-10 was delivered to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., in 1975 and was designed specially for close-air-support missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
PAVE HAWK

An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., flies above Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., during the 2007 McDonald’s Air and Sea Show on May 6. The primary mission of the Pave Hawk is to conduct day or night operations into hostile environments to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel during war. Because of its versatility, the Pave Hawk is also tasked to perform military operations other than war, including civil search and rescue, emergency aeromedical evacuation, disaster relief, international aid, counterdrug activities and NASA space shuttle support. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
LANCER

A B-1B Lancer multi-role bomber jet flies above Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., during the 2007 McDonald’s Air and Sea Show on May 6. First developed in the 1970s as a replacement for the B-52 Stratofortress, the B-1 carries the largest payload of both guided and unguided weapons in the Air Force inventory and is considered the backbone of America’s long-range bomber force. It can rapidly deliver massive quantities of precision and non-precision weapons against any adversary, anywhere in the world, at any time. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
HERITAGE FLIGHT

An F-22A Raptor, a P-51 Mustang, and an F-15 Eagle fly in a heritage flight formation above Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., during the 2007 McDonald’s Air and Sea Show on May 6. The three jets represent three generations of the world’s most dominant fighter aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
T-BIRDS

The U.S Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, fly above Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., during the 2007 McDonald’s Air and Sea Show on May 6. The Thunderbirds perform precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the capabilities of Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the world. The squadron exhibits the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft. The Thunderbirds were officially activated June 1, 1953, as the 3600th Air Demonstration Team at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., flying the F-84G Thunderjet. The team has converted to many different aircraft over the years, most recently converting to the F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1983. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
T-BIRDS

The U.S Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, fly above Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., during the 2007 McDonald’s Air and Sea Show on May 6. The Thunderbirds perform precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the capabilities of Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the world. The squadron exhibits the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft. The Thunderbirds were officially activated June 1, 1953, as the 3600th Air Demonstration Team at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., flying the F-84G Thunderjet. The team has converted to many different aircraft over the years, most recently converting to the F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1983. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
T-BIRDS

The U.S Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, fly above Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., during the 2007 McDonald’s Air and Sea Show on May 6. The Thunderbirds perform precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating the capabilities of Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the world. The squadron exhibits the professional qualities the Air Force develops in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft. The Thunderbirds were officially activated June 1, 1953, as the 3600th Air Demonstration Team at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., flying the F-84G Thunderjet. The team has converted to many different aircraft over the years, most recently converting to the F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1983. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
MAKOS

A four-ship formation of F-16C Fighting Falcons from the 93rd Fighter Squadron at Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla., flies above Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., during the 2007 McDonald’s Air and Sea Show on May 6. The F-16 is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft that is highly maneuverable and proven in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack missions. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the F-16 has been a major component of the combat forces committed to the Global War on Terrorism, flying thousands of sorties in support of operations Noble Eagle (homeland defense), Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Airpower displayed at annual Ft. Lauderdale Air and Sea Show

Published May 10, 2007
By Tech. Sgt. Paul Dean

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Jets, helicopters and planes from across the United States arrived here May 3 to give spectators a small taste of the airpower, air superiority and search-and-rescue capabilities provided by the Air Force.

The aerial displays and demonstrations took place May 5-6, with F-16 fighter jets from the local unit at Homestead Air Reserve Base launching each day's festivities.

Other performances included the Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 aerial demonstration team and the F-22A Raptor among others.

SPIRIT

THUNDERBOLT

PAVE HAWK

LANCER

HERITAGE FLIGHT

T-BIRDS

T-BIRDS

T-BIRDS

MAKOS