Heritage Conference coming to D-M

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacqueline Hawkins
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Modern and historic military aircraft from around the country will fly here March 4 to 9 during the annual Heritage Flight Conference.

The Heritage Conference allows civilian and Air Combat Command demonstration pilots to train together for the upcoming spring and summer air show seasons. The flyers are civilian pilots approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and ACC to fly in formation with ACC demonstration team aircraft. The Heritage flights are performed at air shows throughout the U.S. and in Canada.

"Heritage Flight began in 1997 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the United States Air Force," said Lt. Col. Glen Lawson, ACC aerial events coordinator. "Maj. Gen. Lee Downer approved the Air Force Demonstration Pilots to fly with certain warbird pilots at air shows for that year. The program proved to be a very successful display of United States Air Force Airpower, past and present."

D-M volunteered to host the training conference in 2001.

"The climate, training environment, gracious hosts at both D-M and from the city of Tucson make it possible," said Colonel Lawson.

This year's conference will include the Curtiss P-40, the P-51 Mustang, the P-38 Lightning, A-1 Sky Raider, and the F-86 Sabre. ACC's demonstration teams include the F-22A Raptor, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the F-15 Eagle, the F-15E Strike Eagle, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the F-4 Phantom.

The conference consists of extensive ground training and ends with three days of flight training.

Maj. Timothy Steffen, coordinator for the Heritage Conference for D-M said, "70 years of aviation history will fill the skies over Tucson from March 7 to 9. This is the only place in the world where all of these aircraft are together at the same time."

Since this is not an air show, the base will not be open to the general public. Personnel with access to the base are welcome to visit a viewing area set up at Base Operations. Escorted access to the flight line will occur each morning from 8 to 10 a.m., but will end as the planes prepare to launch. Col. Kent Laughbaum, 355th Fighter Wing commander, has set aside March 7 as "Military Day" at the viewing area, and March 9 as "Media Day."

Military members who would like to volunteer to help with the conference are more than welcome. To volunteer or for more information, call Major Timothy Steffen at 228-4724.