Star Spangled Salute ready to soar Published June 11, 2010 Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Oklahomans in search of high-flying excitement will find what they are looking for at Tinker Air Force Base during the 12th Star Spangled Salute Air Show, June 19-20. Co-hosted by the Eastern Oklahoma County Tourism Council, Aerospace America, Midwest City and Del City, the air show will feature the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and Air Combat Command's Viper East demonstration team. "This year's Star Spangled Salute will be the premier Oklahoma event to attend this summer. In fact, I can't think of a better way to celebrate Father's Day than treating dad to a couple of free days of aircraft demonstrations, pyrotechnics, jet cars and fireworks," said Lt. Col. Charles Moore, air show director. "The world famous Thunderbirds and Tops In Blue performance troupe will be headlining this year's event, and we will also pay a special tribute to our Vietnam veterans to commemorate Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry's 'Year of the Vietnam Veteran.'" Along with the Thunderbirds, there will be several other displays of American air power in the skies over Midwest City. There will also be historical presentations, like "Tora, Tora, Tora," a flying act and pyrotechnic display that reenacts the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, a familiar sight to those who have attended past Tinker shows. But, there will also be some exciting acts that were not available for the last Star Spangled Salute, the Army's 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles" Parachute Demonstration Team will perform. Other aerial acts include: C-17; Air National Guard Staudacher S-300; Tora, Tora Tora; USO Jet Car/Miss America P-51D race; F-22 Flyby, Team Tinker Flyby; Kelly the Flying Babe; T-28 Trojan Phlyers; Sons of Legends Twin Beach; and the Air Force Academy Glider. For those interested in learning as much as they can about Tinker and the Air Force mission, there will be a wide variety of displays, exhibits and static aircraft that feature the service's equipment and people. Static (ground) displays include: Vance Air Force Base Trainers (T-38, T-1), EA-18G, B-1 Bomber, B-52 Bomber, C-130H, CH-47 Helicopter, UH-60 Helicopter, FAA DC-3, OU Warrior; EagleMed Helicopters, AD-5, AT-6D, O-2(2), and a L-39C. There will also be several activities and attractions geared toward a younger audience. Organizers said they wanted to focus on making this year's Star Spangled Salute a wonderful event for the entire family. There will be a rock climbing wall, children's activity tents, bouncing gyms, temporary tattoo stations, pint-sized planes, a petting zoo and performances by the "family-friendly" Air Force troupe Tops In Blue. Wristbands for day-use of all the children's activities will be available for purchase. Individual tickets may be purchased as well. Food and drink concessions will be available at various locations throughout the show area. Free water will also be available to the public at clearly marked stations. Safety and security: During the run up to the air show and during the show itself, areas on Tinker that fall within the areal demonstration box will be cleared for safety. Some buildings and facilities will need to be cleared and Team Tinker is asked to cooperate with Security Forces. In addition, Munitions Road and Reserve Road will be limited to travel by DOD ID card holders on official business or residents of base housing, said Master Sgt. Anthony Burleson, 72nd SFS. On June 19 and 20 the Lancer, Marauder and Hruskocy gates will open at 9 a.m. Some highlighted rules to follow for attendees: · Be prepared to follow signs to alternate parking if designated parking areas become full. · Do not leave your vehicle on base overnight. Vehicles left overnight will be towed. · Seatbelt use is mandatory on Tinker. Please ensure all passengers are buckled up. · Use of a cell phone while driving a motor vehicle is prohibited on base unless a bona fide hands-free system · Please have your driver's license available for the gate guards. · Random full-vehicle inspections may be conducted at all installation gates. · Park vehicles in designated areas and proceed to the gated entryway or shuttle bus stop. · All visitors will proceed through a security checkpoint before they board shuttle buses or at the main entry point to the event area (Buses will run continuously to transport guests back and forth from the parking lots to the event). · Diaper bags, purses and small hand carried items are permitted but are subject to search. · Please do not bring pets, coolers, backpacks, glass containers, portable tents or large shade umbrellas (personal weather umbrellas are permitted). · Lawn chairs and blankets are permitted. · Unauthorized possession/transportation of firearms, dangerous weapons or fireworks/explosives onto military installations is a federal crime. · Concealed carry of firearms under the Oklahoma Self Defense Act is strictly prohibited while on the installation. · Please use the trash cans located throughout the flightline. · No smoking in Kids Area, inside the hangar or within 50 feet of any aircraft. · Properly discarding garbage will prevent aircraft from ingesting foreign objects and damaging their engines. · The flightline is an industrial area with many potential hazards. Please obey warning signs, directions of emergency personnel/event officials and avoid all unauthorized areas. · Use extreme caution when walking around and under static display aircraft. Many aircraft have low wings and protrusions that create potential hazards. · Always follow the instructions of security, emergency response and air show officials. The individuals will either be in uniform or wearing an Air Show staff identification badge. In case of an emergency, please observe the following: · In the event of an accident, severe weather or potential natural disaster situation, the airshow emergency plan will be activated. Personnel will be given direction via the airshow public address system. Please follow the directions given so the installation's emergency responders can respond. · Do not try to go into the scene of an accident. You may become a victim yourself. · Found children will be taken to a safe area in the Children's Activity Zone on the north end of the show ramp. It is easily identifiable by the large children's inflatables. · In the event of severe weather (thunderstorms, lightning or tornado) you will be directed to either proceed to your personal vehicle or directed to take shelter in one of the buildings on the airshow grounds. Do not take shelter from severe weather under an aircraft. · In the event of a suspicious package or disturbance involving personnel on the airshow grounds you will be asked to proceed to a safe location.