PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD—The Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon East Coast Team from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., will take their Falcon through high precision aerial maneuvers at Pax River’s Air Expo ’03 May 24 and 25. This year’s theme celebrates a century of powered flight and the station’s 60th anniversary.

The team’s tactical demonstration will highlight the capabilities of this high performance, multi-role fighter. The F-16 is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack.

In an air combat role, the F-16’s maneuverability and combat radius exceed that of all potential threat fighter aircraft. In an air-to-surface role, the Falcon can fly more than 500 miles, deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point.

The Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels will headline both days of Air Expo ’03. Also featured will be 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.

Gates open at 9 a.m. The flying portion of the show begins at 11 a.m. and will run until approximately 4 p.m. Parking and admission are free. 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.

Optional premium box seats are available. For more information, visit http://www.airshownetwork.com.

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 are to enter the air station through Gate 2.

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

-USN-

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, similar to this one, will take to the skies at Air Expo ’03 here May 24 and 25. The Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon East Team’s tactical demonstration will highlight the capabilities of this high performance, multi-role fighter. The F-16 is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. Headlining Air Expo ’03 will be the Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels.