U.S. Navy Blue Angels Join National Cherry Festival's 82nd Celebration over West Grand Traverse Bay

Many may not realize it, but the National Cherry Festival has held airshows from its inception. The first airshow was held in 1930 and was put on by three National Guard airplanes from Selfridge Field near Detroit. Part of the show included an aerial parade of the queen and her court over Traverse City, which became an every year tradition. Another tradition each year was the dropping of aerial bombs from two airplanes over Traverse City at dawn to kick off the Festival. Through the years the Festival's air show grew to include daredevil acts of dog fighting, skywriting, parachute jumps, and water rescues by the US Coast Guard.

Today, the National Cherry Festival is still holding its airshows. Some of the world's finest airshow performers have graced the skies for thousands of spectators to enjoy throughout the years. Acts such as the USAF Thunderbirds, Mike Goulian, Greg Shelton, Chris Panzl, Sean D. Tucker, Lima Lima, the now defunct Red Baron Stearman Squadron and of course, the US Navy Blue Angels have become part of the history and tradition of the National Cherry Festival.

Join us for the 82nd National Cherry Festival Air Show, sponsored by Northern Michigan Toyota Dealers, Sam's Club and Charter Communications on Saturday, July 5 and Sunday, July 6 for an exciting airshow. Friday July, 4 will also be an active day with a full practice airshow as well as a festive Twilight Airshow event prior to the Fireworks display over West Grand Traverse Bay.

The United States Navy Blue Angel Demonstration Team

The Blue Angel Demonstration Team will return to the 82nd National Cherry Festival and will once again grace the skies over West Grand Traverse Bay with superb formation and opposing solo routines. The basic building block of the F/A-18A equipped Blue Angel routine is the four-ship formation, which provides a close look of low level, close formation maneuvers for the air show enthusiast. As the four-ship is out repositioning itself for the next precision fly-by, the two opposing solos will capture your attention as they do many of their maneuvers at a closure speed of over 1000 mph and there are times that all six Hornets of the Blues will join together for great combined routines as they maneuver their famous Delta Formation. Don't miss the return of the world famous US Navy Blue Angels!

For more information on the US Navy Blue Angels click here

AeroShell Aerobatic Team

A formation aerobatic team flying the World War II North American Advanced Trainer, the aircraft that launched thousands of American and Canadian cadets on their flying careers generations ago, now thrill audiences everywhere as the pilots who make up the AeroShell Aerobatic Team take these valiant old birds through a series of precision formation aerobatic maneuvers. The Team combines the skill, competence and flair of these pilots with the roar and billowing smoke of the powerful 600 HP Pratt and Whitney engines. Performing a series of precision formation aerobatic maneuvers, including their bomb burst, vertical rejoin, avalanche, the breath-taking "Switch Blade", along with graceful loops and rolls.

For more information on the AeroShell Aerobatic Team click here

United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team

Cutting away a parachute on purpose. Passing a baton at 120 mph. Flying the American flag at 12,000 feet. Landing dead center on target. The US Army Parachute team has been holding audiences in the palm of their hands all over the world with their feats of aerial acrobatics. Now in their 45th year of entertaining both young and old with their amazing aerial skills, the men and women of the US Army Parachute Team continue to show why they are considered the world's best parachute team.

For more information on the US Army Golden Knights click here

United States Coast Guard HH-65C Dolphin

The newly upgraded 'C' model Dolphin is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2C2-CG engines. The Dolphin is usually deployed from shore but it can be deployed from medium and high endurance Coast Guard Cutters, as well as the Polar Icebreakers. The Dolphin's main duties are: Search and Rescue (SAR), Enforcement of Laws and Treaties (including Drug Interdiction), Polar Ice Breaking, Marine Environmental Protection including Pollution Control and Military Readiness.

The HH-65C is brought to us by our very own CGAS Traverse City.

For more information on the Aerospatiale HH-65C Dolphin click here

United States Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier Demonstration Team

The AV-8B Harrier vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is an amazing piece of aviation technology. The Harrier is equipped for its role as close or deep air support around the clock with six wing stations for Maverick and Sidewinder missiles and a centerline station that can mount a six-barreled 25mm gun or air-to-ground ordnance. The Harrier is designed to attack and destroy surface targets under day and night visual conditions. The Harrier can be armed with MK-82 series 500-lb. bombs, MK-83 series 1000-lb. bombs, GBU-12 500-lb. laser guided bombs, GBU-16 1000-lb. laser guided bombs, AGM-65F IR Maverick missiles, AGM-65E Laser Maverick missiles, CBU-99 cluster munitions, AIM-9M  Sidewinders and the LITENING II targeting pod to deliver GBU-12 and GBU-16 bombs with pinpoint accuracy.

For more information on the AV-8B Harrier click here

United States Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet

The F/A-18 Hornet is a single- and two-seat, twin-engine multi-mission tactical aircraft. It is the first tactical aircraft designed from its inception to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Today, the F/A-18 is in service with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the air forces of Canada, Australia, Spain, Kuwait, Finland, Switzerland, and Malaysia. Hornet pilots have accumulated more than 3.4 million flight hours and, in the process, are establishing new records daily in safety, reliability, maintainability and mission performance. A key aspect of the Hornet's popularity with pilots is the ease with which the aircraft can be converted from fighter to strike mode and back again; it's as easy as flipping a switch. During Operation Desert Storm, F/A-18s routinely performed fighter and strike missions on the same sortie. Fulfilling a variety of roles—air superiority, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, forward air control, close air support, and day and night strike missions—the F/A-18 has proven to be the most versatile combat aircraft in service. Reliability and maintainability are also designed into the Hornet. These factors result in significantly lower operating and maintenance costs for the F/A-18 compared to other U.S. Navy fighter and attack aircraft; and life cycle costs comparable to other modern multi-role aircraft. Survivability is another key Hornet feature. The F/A-18 employs a number of systems and technologies that increase its likelihood of reaching a target undetected, of escaping unhurt if it is detected, and of returning its crew safely if it is hit. These systems and technologies have been enhanced in the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to improve survivability.

The F/A-18's are brought to us by the VMFA-122 "Werewolves" (Formerly the "Crusaders") based at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina. The unit is scheduled for a deployment later this year so please come out and show your support for them!

For more information on the F/A-18C Hornet click here

Air National Guard F-15D Eagle

The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current or projected enemy aircraft. The F-15 has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace. Its weapons and flight control systems are designed so one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat. The F-15's superior maneuverability and acceleration are achieved through high engine thrust-to-weight ratio and low wing loading. Low wing-loading (the ratio of aircraft weight to its wing area) is a vital factor in maneuverability and, combined with the high thrust-to-weight ratio, enables the aircraft to turn tightly without losing airspeed. A multi-mission avionics system sets the F-15 apart from other fighter aircraft. It includes a head-up display, advanced radar, inertial navigation system, flight instruments, UHF communications, tactical navigation system and instrument landing system. It also has an internally mounted, tactical electronic-warfare system, "identification friend or foe" system, electronic countermeasures set and a central digital computer. Through an on-going multistage improvement program the F-15 is receiving extensive upgrade involving the installation or modification of new and existing avionics equipment to enhance the tactical capabilities of the F-15. With its impressive combat record of 104 victories to 0 defeats, the F-15 is often regarded as the greatest fighter aircraft ever built.

The Oregon Air National Guard's 114th FS, Kingsley Field, Oregon, will salute America's freedom by showcasing this powerful aircraft with flyovers during the National Cherry Festival Airshow.

For more information on the F-15 Eagle click here

United States Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team

The A-10, unofficially dubbed the "Warthog" for its "face only a mother could love" looks, or "Devils Cross" by the enemies it goes after, is a formidable weapon. The A-10 Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate weapons-delivery platform. It can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings (303.3 meters) with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers) visibility. Their wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10 pilots can conduct their missions during darkness. The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. Manual systems back up their redundant hydraulic flight-control systems. This permits pilots to fly and land when hydraulic power is lost. The Thunderbolt II can employ a wide variety of conventional munitions, including general purpose bombs, cluster bomb units, laser guided bombs, joint direct attack munitions or JDAM), wind corrected munitions dispenser or WCMD, AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, rockets, illumination flares, and the deadly GAU-8/A 30mm cannon, capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute to defeat a wide variety of targets including tanks.

The demonstration will also include a Heritage Flight with a vintage WWII P-51 Mustang flown by Vlado Lenoch.

Michigan’s own 172nd FS "Mad Ducks" based in Battle Creek, Michigan will also be on hand for the weekend’s event.

For more information on the A-10 Thunderbolt II click here