Air show brings famous flyers, celebrates 100 years of flight Published March 26, 2010 By Public Affairs Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Al -- Visitors to this weekend's Maxwell Open House & Air Show 2010 will see two of the military's most famous and honored flying groups: The Air Force's Thunderbirds and the Army Golden Knights. Both will take to the air over Montgomery Saturday and Sunday as part of Thunder over Alabama. The groups' prestigious histories, like their aerial skills, are well documented. The Thunderbirds are in their 57th season representing the pride, precision and professionalism of the nearly 700,000 active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and civilian Airmen serving around the world. Since 1953, the Thunderbirds have ignited passion in Americans through their grace and jaw-dropping aerial maneuvers, exhibiting the skill and capability of the world's most advanced and respected air, space and cyberspace force. Always on the forefront of technology and aviation, the Thunderbirds originally flew the F-84G Thunder Jet, with seven officers and 24 support professionals spreading goodwill while representing the Air Force. Today, 12 officers and 120 maintenance and support personnel make up the F-16C Fighting Falcon Thunderbird team. This year's Thunderbird schedule includes 73 performances across the United States and Canada, giving people a firsthand look at what their Airmen are accomplishing around the world every day. The Thunderbirds' goal: When Airmen, the public and children see the team around the world - on the ground or in the air - each person will be captivated and overwhelmed with a powerful sense of pride in America and its Air Force. The Strategic Army Command Parachute Team, or STRAC, was formed in 1959 by Airborne Soldiers from various military units. Brigadier General Joseph Stilwell Jr. was responsible for gathering these Soldiers with the original intent to compete during the Cold War effort. This new U.S. All-Army team swept the international competition circuit, in what was then the Soviet-dominated sport of skydiving. Later that year on Nov. 1, this newly formed team performed their first demonstration in Danville, Va. June 15, 1961, the Department of Defense announced that the STRAC team would become the United States Army Parachute Team. The team is one of three authorized DOD aerial demonstration teams, along with the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels. On Oct. 15, 1962, the team earned the nickname the "Golden Knights." Golden, signifying the team's stellar reputation of bringing home gold medals; Knights, alluding to the fact that the team had "conquered the skies," and portraying that members of the team are champions of a set of ideals and principles. Article courtesy of Air University Public Affairs Schedule of events Max Impact performance Opening ceremony, 11 a.m. Golden Knights (UH-60 Ala. Army Guard transport) land with American flag Tora Attacks! Japanese Zero, Kate torpedo bomber, Val dive bomber World War II era P-51, Red Tail P-51, B-17, P-47, C-47, A-26, B-25 Vietnam era AC-47 Spooky, C-7, A-1, A-26 MiG-17 C-130 Hercules dropping supplies Heritage flight F-4 Phantom, P-51 Navy Legacy Flight F-18 Super Hornet, AD-5 Dan Buchanan's acrobatic hang glider Cargo heritage flight C-17, C-47, C-7 U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team Red Bull helicopter Aeroshell T-6 acrobatic team Tim Webber and the Geico Extra 300S Enlistment/Recognition ceremony U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 Demonstration Team Max Impact finale concert *Appearance and order subject to change Air show gate flow Start of open base, 8:30 a.m. Bell Street gate Two lanes inbound, two lanes outbound Day Street gate Four lanes inbound merging into two lanes at Maxwell Boulevard Kelly Street gate Two lanes inbound. Left lane will be designated for buses only FEMA gate Prattville buses only End of open base, 3 p.m. reverse traffic Bell Street gate Two lanes inbound and two lanes outbound directed to only turn left Day Street gate Three lanes outbound and one lane inbound directed to only turn left Kelly Street gate Two lanes outbound directed to only turn right. Left lane will be designated for buses only FEMA gate Prattville buses only All housing traffic can use Inner Circle off Poplar Street for entry and exit from their residences.