Over Houston Airshow Nov. 1-2 at Ellington Airport
2014 show features Vietnam Veterans Tribute and Traveling Memorial Wall, Vintage
Warbirds,
Civilian Aerobatic Performances and Numerous Exhibits and Activities
HOUSTON (October 14, 2014) – The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will return to Houston for the
Commemorative Air Force (CAF) 30th Annual Wings Over Houston Airshow, which will be
held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1-2, at Ellington Airport. Produced by the Commemorative Air
Force, the non-profit airshow also will feature a tribute to Vietnam War veterans with a flight
demonstration of aircraft from that era as well as display of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial
Wall during the show and open to the public free on Friday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other
highlights include static displays and performances of vintage warplanes, modern military
aircraft including the huge Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and WC-130 “Hurricane Hunter,” civilian
acrobatic pilots, and numerous exhibits and activities. Continuous show updates and ticket
information are available at www.wingsoverhouston.com.
“We’re thrilled the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are returning to help us celebrate 30 years of an
airshow that has become a family tradition and brings fans from all over the United States and
the world to Houston,” said Bill Roach, airshow director. “It’s amazing how much this
volunteer-produced show has grown over the past 30 years in number of performers, exhibits and
activities that bring history to life. Our Vietnam War Veterans Tribute and Demonstration will be
a highlight this year, and we’re honored to host the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall. We’ve
put together a thrilling and fully-packed show lineup to showcase amazing aircraft and pilots,
present stimulating exhibits and activities, and presentations that honor our military veterans and
active-duty service men and women. Fans should check our website closer to show weekend for
updates on all of our performers and activities. We also have received generous support from
sponsors, but we do welcome more sponsorship support.”
Currently, some of the headlining performers include:

U.S. Navy Blue Angels: The Blue Angels will perform their aerobatic demonstration by
flying six F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, split into the diamond formation (Blue Angels 1
through 4) and the lead and opposing solos (Blue Angels 5 and 6).

U.S. Navy “Fat Albert” C-130 Demo: “Fat Albert,” a U.S. Marine Corps C-130
Hercules airlifter, is the Blue Angels’ support plane and also flies its own solo
performance at air shows.

Vietnam Demonstration & Tribute: Honoring Vietnam War veterans, this tribute will
feature the F-100 Super Sabre, A-4 Skyhawk, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17, MiG-21, F86, A-1 Skyraider, O-2 Skymasters, AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter and two UH-1
Iroquois better known as Hueys. Also in the demonstration will be ground forces and
equipment battling for territory, complete with pyrotechnics.

MV-22 Osprey – U.S. Marine Corps: With the speed and range of a turboprop, the
MV-22 Osprey has the maneuverability of a helicopter and the ability to carry 24 Marine
combat troops twice as fast and five times farther than previous helicopters.

Air Force Heritage Flight: Heritage Flight performances of modern military aircraft
flying with World War II, Korea or Vietnam era fighters dramatically display USAF
airpower history.

World War II Airpower Demo: Recreates many famous battles from World War II
with prop-driven aircraft from the round-engine era and features a German ME-262, the
first operational jet fighter plane in WWII.

Civilian Aerial Acrobatic Performers: Some of the world’s top-tier pilots will perform
including Sean D. Tucker - Team Oracle, David Martin - Breitling Airshows, and worldclass pilots Matt Chapman and Debby Rihn-Harvey.

TORA TORA TORA: An annual home show performer, TORA TORA TORA presents
a dramatic re-creation of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

F-86F Sabre Demonstration: Steve Hinton will demonstrate a North American F-86F
Sabre (Sabrejet), America’s first swept wing fighter to counter the Soviet MiG-15 in
high-speed dogfights during the Korean War.

Shockwave Jet Truck: The world’s fastest jet on land, the Shockwave hits speeds of
300-plus miles per hour.

RE/MAX Skydive Team: Our show-opening act continues with the dynamic entrance of
the skydiving team bringing in Old Glory during the National Anthem.
The show features too many special events and activities to list all, but among them include:

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall: Measuring 300 feet long and 6 feet tall, The
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is a 3/5 scale model of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in
Washington, D.C., that honors those who gave their lives during the Vietnam War. The
display will be open to the public for free on Friday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Legends & Heroes Tent: Throughout the day, flying aces, decorated war-heroes,
veterans and special guests will be present to sign autographs. Many of these living
legends also offer signed autobiographies, photographs and other memorabilia for sale.

Airplane & Helicopter Rides: Some participating organizations sell rides, including
hops in vintage warbirds such as the B-17G Bomber, AT-6 Texan, P-51C Mustang and
many others.

Tuskegee Airmen P-51C and the CAF RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit: The CAF’s
Red Tail Squadron showcases its P-51C Mustang, Tuskegee Airmen, and RISE ABOVE
Traveling Exhibit. The exhibit tells the story of how the Tuskegee Airmen overcame
obstacles to be allowed to train and fight as the first African-American U.S. Army Air
Corps pilots.

NASA’s Driven to Explore: This mobile, multi-media exhibit immerses visitors in the
story of NASA. Guests will learn why we explore, discover the challenges of human
space exploration , how NASA provides critical technological advances to improve life
on Earth, and be able to view NASA’S large Guppy plane that will be on display.

Freedom Flyers – Free Flights for WWII Veterans: Flown by Cowden Ward, Jr. and
operated by Freedom Flyers, up to six free flights will be given to World War II veterans
on Ward’s P-51-D Mustang, “Pecos Bill,” on Friday, Oct. 31. Requests over the six slots
will be honored and scheduled for different dates. To request a flight and make schedule
arrangements, contact Freedom Flyers at 512-756-6163 or email Cowden Ward at
cw@cwsky.net.

Other events and activities include modern aviation displays, warbird ramp displays,
Commemorative Air Force Hanger 57 information booth and store, Experimental Aircraft
Association (EAA) aircraft displays, military enactment camps by the National USA
Forces Museum and The 6th Cavalry Historical Association, Blue Bonnet Military
Museum with vintage aircraft and displays by Lone Star Flight Museum, Texas Flying
Legends Museum, Lewis Air Legends, Vietnam War Flight Museum, Collings
Foundation and Freedom Flyers. Other fun includes motion aircraft simulator rides and a
kid’s carnival with a rock climbing wall and other activities.
The CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow was made possible by hundreds of volunteers and many
generous donors and sponsors. With humble beginnings in 1985, it has grown into a Houston
family tradition that also attracts a worldwide audience. Show proceeds benefit the CAF’s efforts
to restore and maintain historic military aircraft, provide scholarships to aviation students and
provide assistance to numerous non-profit organizations in the Houston metro area.
“We also have a very special tradition at Wings Over Houston Airshow that we call the ‘Special
Show,’ which is for lifetime physically challenged young people,” said Roach. “We hold the
show on the Friday before Airshow weekend for about 5,000 people. The Special Show, which is
generously sponsored by the Hugh W. O’Donnell family, is the largest field trip for physically
challenged students in this area.”
Please visit the show’s website, www.wingsoverhouston.com, for updated information including
performers list, airplane rides, exhibits and activities, ticket information and parking instructions.
Ticket Information
Tickets can be purchased in advance by visiting www.wingsoverhouston.com or by calling 8884-FLYSHOW. Purchase early for best pricing as ticket prices go up as event nears and to secure
reserved seating. Options include Reserved Prime View “50-yard-line” seating that includes
reserved parking and an event program. Eagle Squadron Hospitality tickets include reserved
seating, catered food and beverages throughout the day, reserved parking, souvenir cap, program
and poster. General admission tickets for entry to the show without seating also are available.
Tickets can be purchased at the gate on show days, but remember that premium reserved seats
sell out early. General admission tickets are also available at area Kroger stores.
Parking Information
Parking at Ellington Airport is very limited; complimentary bus transportation is recommended.
Bus shuttles run from Bay Area Park and Ride (801 Bay Area Blvd), Fuqua Park and Ride
(11755 Sabo Road) and South Point Park and Ride (12410 Kurland). Shuttles run from 7:30 a.m.
until 6 p.m., with the last shuttle inbound to Ellington Airport departing at 2:30 p.m. The shuttle
service is free. Visit www.wingsoverhouston.com for Park and Ride locations.
Sponsors
As a non-profit event, CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow relies upon the generosity of
sponsors. This year’s headline sponsors to date include: The Hugh W. O’Donnell Family,
presenting Special Show for Special People; Texas Bay Area Credit Union; Bud Light; City of
Webster; United Airlines; Wargaming.net; City of Nassau Bay; RE/MAX of Texas; Coca-Cola,
Inc.; Gainsborough Waste; and Veteran Energy.
Promotional Partners include: The New 93Q; The Eagle 107.5 FM; Country Legends 97.1 FM;
City of Webster; Kroger; Captivate Network; 89.3 KSBJ; GoodCents; Greensheet; The Scene
Magazine;
Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce; City of League City; Go-Galveston.com; and Univision
102.9 Estereo Latino.
Logistical Partners include: Houston Airport System; Space Center Houston; The University of
Texas Medical Branch; Texas State Guard Houston & Galveston Medical Reserve Corps; Clear
Lake Emergency Medical Corps; Friendswood EMS; Lansdowne-Moody; H&E Equipment
Services; and Space Center Houston.
Organizations interested in sponsoring the show may visit the Sponsorship Opportunities page on
the airshow’s website, www.wingsoverhouston.com.
About Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Wings Over Houston
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Wings Over Houston Airshow is a non-profit 501(c)(3)
community event produced by a volunteer effort of the Gulf Coast Wing, Houston Wing, and
Tora! Tora! Tora! of the Commemorative Air Force, with support from the Lone Star Flight
Museum in Galveston, Texas Legends Flying Museum, Vietnam War Flight Museum, Lewis Air
Legends and Collings Foundation West. The Airshow is dedicated to showcasing vintage World
War II aircraft, along with the thrills of modern aviation. One of the top air shows in the United
States in its category, the CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow attracts more than 90,000 festival
goers throughout Houston as well as from around the globe. The 2014 Airshow benefits the CAF
Wings Over Houston Airshow Scholarship Program, Aviation Career Education Academy,
Exchange Club of Sugar Land, Westchase Rotary Club and the Commemorative Air Force
aircraft restoration and flying historical programs, in addition to numerous other nonprofit
participating organizations.
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NEWS MEDIA & PHOTOJOURNALISTS: Applications for media credentials, media
kits, and instructions to download media kits, images and b-roll is now on our website,
www.wingsoverhouston.com. Please go to the Media page.
Credentials application deadline: Friday, October 24, midnight.
Only issued to reporters and photographers assigned to report on the show – media
coverage is expected (uncaptioned photos on a website or blog will not be considered). You
must re-apply for credentials every year and meet our criteria, which is very specific and will be
strictly enforced. Photographers without assignment letter from accredited media should
purchase access to the Photo Pit.
For more information, contact:
David Fanucchi ♦ 713-622-5920
Scott Tims ♦ 214-378-7970
WingsOverHoustonPR@thepointgroup.com