Military Lineup

The F-22 Raptor is a cutting-edge fighter jet designed for air superiority and multi-role combat. It combines advanced sensors, avionics, and weapons systems that give the pilot a "first-look, first-kill" advantage, allowing the aircraft to detect, identify, and neutralize threats before being detected itself. Equipped with a variety of missiles, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder, it excels in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. Its stealth capabilities make it nearly invisible to enemy radar, enhancing survivability. The F-22's powerful engines enable supersonic flight without afterburners, known as supercruise, significantly extending its range and speed. With a high thrust-to-weight ratio and advanced flight controls, it can outmaneuver other aircraft, ensuring unmatched lethality in combat. Additionally, the F-22's reliability and ease of maintenance set it apart, reducing downtime and operational costs.

Developed under the Advanced Tactical Fighter Program, the F-22 entered production in the early 2000s after extensive testing. The aircraft is primarily used by the 1st Fighter Wing, which became the first operational F-22 wing in 2005. The F-22 is tasked with maintaining air dominance and is considered a technological marvel, incorporating cutting-edge stealth, avionics, and weapons systems. It has a top speed of Mach 2, a range of over 1,850 miles, and a ceiling of 60,000 feet. The F-22's operational success and its role in showcasing American airpower are epitomized by pilots like Captain Nick "Laz" Le Tourneau, the current commander of the F-22 Demonstration Team, who performs for audiences worldwide, demonstrating the aircraft's exceptional agility and precision.

The F-35B Lightning II Demo Team / VMFAT-501 is the Marine Corps variant of the joint Strike Fighter. Featuring a vertical lift fan and pivoting engine nozzle, it can takeoff with a full combat load in around 500’, execute supersonic flight over 1.5 Mach and leverage its stealth capabilities to target enemy forces, making it an exceptional expeditionary platform. The F-35B is replacing the AV-8B Harrier IIs in the Marine Corps inventory.

The F-35's low observable stealth allows it to safely enter areas without being seen by radars that 4th generation fighters cannot evade. The combination of the stealth features, the F-35’s active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar technology, and the aircraft’s ability to carry weapons internally means the F-35 can engage ground targets at long ranges without detection and use precision weapons to successfully complete air-to-ground missions.

The F-35 helmet and visor system is truly an engineering marvel that represents today’s fifth-generation warfighter. The key difference between the F-35 helmet and a traditional fourth-generation warfighter helmet used on the F-16 is that all the flight and mission data is presented to the pilot on a display, mounted to the helmet. In addition, the helmet is connected to six infrared cameras located around the aircraft, providing a 360-degree view and unprecedented situational awareness. If the pilot looks around in certain conditions, they don’t see the cockpit or even their legs. All they see are their surroundings like terrain, with the flight critical and mission data projected inside the helmet.

The U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City is a vital part of Great Lakes safety, specializing in search and rescue missions, law enforcement, and environmental protection. During the National Cherry Festival Air Show, the USCG will showcase the skill and precision of its crews with a thrilling demonstration of real-life rescue techniques. As a proud Coast Guard City, Traverse City celebrates the dedication and service of the men and women who keep our waters safe. We are honored to have the U.S. Coast Guard as part of the festival and grateful for their unwavering commitment to our community.

The Heritage Flight at the National Cherry Festival Airshow is a powerful tribute to the generations of men and women who have served in the armed forces, defending the skies in times of war and peace. This breathtaking formation pairs the legendary P-51 Mustang, an aircraft that helped secure victory in World War II, with the state-of-the-art United States Air Force F-22 Raptor, the pinnacle of modern air superiority.

As these aircraft fly together over West Grand Traverse Bay, they serve as a living monument to the enduring spirit of those who have worn the uniform, ensuring that their legacy is never forgotten.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is a legendary close air support aircraft renowned for its durability, agility, and devastating firepower. Designed around its iconic 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun, the A-10 is built to excel in combat, capable of withstanding significant damage and continuing its mission. Its robust design allows it to operate in rugged conditions and perform a range of missions, from tank-busting to troop support.

At the National Cherry Festival Airshow, the 107th Fighter Squadron "Red Devils" from the Michigan Air National Guard will present a thrilling aerial demonstration featuring two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs. Spectators will witness the skill of the Red Devils pilots as they demonstrate the Warthog’s capabilities in both combat scenarios and precision flight. This display not only showcases the A-10’s vital role in military operations but also honors the proud heritage of the 107th Fighter Squadron and its commitment to excellence.

Marine Attack Squadron (VMA)-223 is an AV-8B Harrier Squadron based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Their nickname is the “Bulldogs.” The Harrier’s mission is to provide offensive air support, armed reconnaissance, and air defense for Marine expeditionary forces. Additionally, VMA-223 provides aircraft for the AV-8B Fleet Replacement Detachment for the training of Naval Aviators to fly the AV-8B Harrier.

The Harrier is a jet-powered, single engine, attack aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing operations (V/STOL). The Harrier achieves vertical lift by having four thrust-vectoring nozzles positioned on the sides of the fuselage, coupled with one turbofan engine. The Marine Corps requirement for a V/STOL light attack force has been well documented since the late 1950s. Combining tactical mobility, responsiveness, reduced operating cost and basing flexibility, both afloat and ashore, V/STOL aircraft are particularly well-suited to the special combat and expeditionary requirements of the Marine Corps.

A bit of trivia – two Harriers from VMA-223 and their pilots were used in the 1994 Arnold Schwarzenegger film “True Lies”

Patrol Squadron Thirty (VP-30), the “Pro’s Nest,” is the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). VP-30’s mission is to provide P-8A specific training to pilots, Naval Flight Officers and enlisted aircrew prior to reporting to the Fleet. VP-30 is Navy’s largest aviation squadron and the only site conducting maritime patrol fleet replacement training.

The Boeing P-8A is a multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft excelling in anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. It can fly up to 41,000 feet with a maximum speed of 490 knots. Fitted with an in-flight refueling system, the P-8’s endurance and range allow it to conduct extended patrols over vast expanses of water.

Our participating C-130J Super Hercules is from The Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123^rd Airlift Wing. The C130J Super Hercules is the newest generation of the C-130 Hercules family which performs the tactical portion of the airlift mission. The aircraft is capable of operating from rough, dirt strips and is the primary transport for air dropping troops and equipment into hostile areas. Using its aft loading ramp and door the C-130J can accommodate a wide variety of oversized cargo, to include utility helicopters and six-wheeled armored vehicles, in addition to palletized cargo and military personnel. It has a max payload of 42,000 pounds. The C-130J has an advanced two-pilot flight station with fully integrated digital avionics, heads-up displays, and state of the art navigation system. The 123^rd Airlift Wing is equipped with eight C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and is based in Louisville KY.

The CH-47F Chinook supports a full spectrum of operations including disaster relief, homeland defense and security, and current overseas contingency operations with a Future Force system design. It is the Army's only heavy-lift cargo helicopter supporting critical combat and non-combat operations. The CH-47F's common cockpit enables multiservice digital compatibility and interoperability for improved situational awareness, mission performance, and survivability, as well as future growth potential. The Chinook has an empty weight of 24,578 pounds, maximum gross weight of 50,000 pounds, and a maximum cruise speed of 160 knots. It has a troop capacity of 36 (33 troops plus 3 crew members). The CH-47F can lift intra-theater payloads up to 16,000 pounds in high/hot environments.

The CH-47F is being flown by Bravo Company, 3-238^th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) / Michigan Army National Guard, based out of Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

The 112^th Fighter Squadron flies the F-16C Fighting Falcon and is attached to the Ohio Air National Guard 180^th Fighter Wing, based out of Toledo. The F-16 is a 4^th Generation, single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft. It can fly more than 500 miles, deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft and return to its starting point. With a full load of internal fuel, the F-16 can withstand up to 9 G’s – nine times the force of gravity – which exceeds the capability of other current fighter aircraft. The 180^th Fighter Wing regularly uses our own Northern Michigan / Alpena airspace complex to train and exploit the full capabilities of the F-16, to include supersonic flight, chaff/flares and electronic attack training with full radar ground control intercept and Link-16 datalink capabilities. The “Stingers” of the 112^th are fully prepared to FLY, FIGHT and WIN anywhere in the world!

The primary mission of the MH-65E Dolphin is Search and Rescue, Law Enforcement, Rotary Wing Air Intercept (RWAI), and mission support for over two hundred local, state and federal agencies. The Air Station covers the southern portion of Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. During the summer months, CGAS Detroit operates air facilities in Muskegon MI and Waukegan IL, covering the southwest portion of Lake Michigan. Their Area of Responsibility encompasses more than 1,100 miles of shoreline from Saginaw Bay MI to the St Lawrence Seaway. In the last 2 years, their fleet has been upgraded to the MH-65E which provides enhanced search and rescue capabilities to include modern “glass cockpit” technology that increases pilot and aircrew situational awareness. The Dolphin upgrades also include reliability and capability improvements in the automatic flight control system, enhanced digital weather and surface radar, and multifunctional displays with more accurate fuel calculations.