PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD—Naval Air Station Patuxent River will celebrate a century of powered flight and the station’s 60th anniversary at Air Expo ’03 here May 24 and 25. The Blue Angels, the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, will headline the show. Also featured will an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon East Team, aerobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff in her Extra 300S, Dan Buchanan in his Airwave glider and a variety of other military and civilian flying acts and static displays.

Orville Wright made the first sustained, controlled, powered flight in Kitty Hawk, N.C., Dec. 17, 1903, piloting a powered flying machine for 12 seconds over a distance of 120 feet. Members of the Navy and Marine Corps began flying aircraft in 1911 and 1912, less than 10 years after that first flight.

In 1942, World War II was being fought on two fronts and fleet aviators needed new and better aircraft. In an effort to centralize air testing facilities, the Navy began construction on a new flight test center that was commissioned as Naval Air Station Patuxent River April 1, 1943.

After sixty years, although the technologies have evolved, Pax River remains the center of excellence for research, development, test, evaluation and acquisition and war fighters continue to deploy with aircraft and aircraft systems developed here. Guests at Air Expo ’03 will be able learn about Pax River’s contributions to aviation, as well as the rich history of this site.

A unique combination of military and civilian flying acts and static displays will allow guests to get up close and personal with the aircraft that the nation’s war fighters are taking into combat. Air Expo ‘03 will also feature a variety of restored vintage aircraft, including a B-25J Mitchell, C-60 Lodestar and L-5 Sentinel. There will be something for everyone.

Bounded by the waters of the Patuxent River and the Chesapeake Bay, NAS Patuxent River is located approximately 65 miles southeast of Washington, D.C., in St. Mary’s County, the birthplace of Maryland. The St. Mary’s peninsula holds over three and a half centuries of history and offers a wealth of natural resources.

Parking and admission for Air Expo ’03 are free. Optional premium box seats are available. For more information, visit http://www.airshownetwork.com.

No weapons or explosives, coolers, alcoholic beverages, glass containers, pets, bicycles, roller blades, skateboards, scooters or backpacks are permitted on the show site. Vehicles, diaper bags, camera bags and cameras will be searched. Please do not load film into cameras before entering the show site.

Those who have Department of Defense identification cards and DoD automobile decals, or DoD identification cards only, enter the air station through Gate 1. All others may enter the air station through Gate 2.

For more information on Air Expo ’03, call 301-757-EXPO or visit http://homepages.navair.navy.mil/AirExpo03/.

-USN-

The Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will headline the celebration of aviation heritage at NAS Patuxent River’s Air Expo ’03 May 24 and 25. The two-day show will be a salute to a century of powered flight and a celebration of Pax River’s 60th anniversary.