Air Force celebrates Centennial of Flight

(EXCERPT) PRESS RELEASE -- Secretary of the Air Force, Directorate of
Public Affairs

Release No. 1212039 Dec 12, 2003

Air Force celebrates Centennial of Flight

KITTY HAWK, N.C. - The U.S. Air Force brings aviators, aircraft and
adventure to the First Flight Centennial Celebration Dec. 13-17.

The celebration commemorates the last century of flight and looks to
the next generation of aviators to further the Wright brothers' dream.

"The Centennial of Flight is as much about our future as it is about
our past -- military aviation developed quickly after that first
flight," said Gen. John P. Jumper, Air Force Chief of Staff. "From the
Wright Flyer to the F/A-22 Raptor, America continues to pioneer
cutting-edge technology and its airmen remain champions of
innovation."

Air Force Secretary James Roche will hold a media availability at noon
Dec. 17 and other senior leaders will be available for interviews
throughout the event.

Aircraft flybys include a spectrum of the Air Force inventory, from
the F/A-22 Raptor to the B-2 stealth bomber. Additionally, the Air
Force will have exhibits, speakers and festivities that highlight
aviation heritage and inspire pursuit of the skies.

Air Force Thunderbird Demonstration Team pilot and narrator Capt.
David Haworth will be available for interviews during the event. The
Air Force Academy's "Wings of Blue" parachute team will be performing
during the event and the school's mascot, a paragon falcon, will be
avilable for photographs.

The "Cross Into The Blue" Tour high-tech, interactive experience will
be on hand throughout the event. Highlights include:

-- A state-of-the-art movie theater with a 6-foot-by-14-foot movie
screen and digital surround sound featuring a three-and-a-half-minute,
high-powered audio visual experience of what it's like to be a member
of today's U.S. Air Force

-- An air-to-air refueling game designed to test skills as a boom
operator on a refueling tanker

-- An extreme equilibrium ride designed to experience the "spatial
disorientation" pilots may encounter during flight

-- A special operations jumper interactive virtual reality game that
simulates a parachute jump

-- A satellite systems display to help expain the detail and
intricacies of a GPS satellite

-- An actual F-16 Fighting Falcon jet

For more information please contact Maj. Cheryl Law, Maj. Kimberly
Tebrugge, or Capt. Jeff Jones at (252) 480-1499 or (210) 316-3296.

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---------------------------
Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com