U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Larry E. Reid Jr. Two “Thunderbirds” pilots taxi in their F-16 aircraft after the completion of the practice air show Nov. 11, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The team was getting ready for its headlining performance at “Aviation Nation 2011,” the base’s annual open house and largest free event in the state. This year, Aviation Nation 2012 will again highlight the ‘Thunderbirds’ during the installation’s two-day event, Nov. 10 – 11, 2012.
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — A preliminary Aviation Nation 2012 demonstration lineup has been announced for the Nellis Open House Nov. 10 and 11.
The participation demonstrations to date are as follows:
• Air attack in Korean Conflict reenactment with an F-86 Sabre, MiG-15, T-33 Shooting Star, A-1 Skyraider, and T-6 Texan
• A T-33 Shooting Star demonstration
• A Desert Rat Formation with four CJ-6 Nanchang
• Ed Hamill and the Dream Machine (biplane)
• LearJet Demonstration
• Horseman Demonstration Team with three F-86 Sabres
• Air-to-air demonstration with two F-15 Eagles and two F-16 Fighting Falcons
• B-1 Lancer flyby with pyrotechnics
• Air-to-ground demonstration with A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-15E Strike Eagles
• F-22 Raptor demonstration
• Heritage Flight with F-22 Raptor, two F-86 Sabres and P-51 Mustang
• U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds”
Gates open at 9 a.m., and general admission and public parking at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is free, where free round-trip shuttle bus transportation to and from Nellis AFB will also be available. A handicapped parking area will be designated at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and handicapped-accessible shuttle buses will be provided.
Due to security reasons, the recommended access route to the show for the general public is the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The general public must process through security lines and ride buses from the speedway to Nellis AFB. However, people using public transportation to get to the event can take a shuttle bus from the base’s front gate to the Thunderbird’s entry control point. This shuttle will be running back and forth to the front gate throughout the day. People riding this shuttle will process through security at the main gate.
The following is a list of banned items that will be confiscated or cause attendees to be turned away at the gate if brought to Aviation Nation:
• Coolers, grills, glasses containers, and large lawn chairs.
• Weapons, illegal drugs, fireworks, scanners, laser pointers, fixed blade knives and folding knives longer than 3 inches.
• Pets, except for service animals.
• Excessively large storage items and bags. The only exceptions are diaper bags, small purses and small camera bags.
• Bicycles, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades/skates
For the latest information on Aviation Nation, visit the Aviation Nation website at www.nellis.af.mil or call (702) 652-2750.
