TAMPA, Fla., April 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- If you hear
the skies over Tampa rumbling like
never before, it won't be coming from MacDill Air Force Base! Next
Wednesday morning around 8:00 am, the
folks at SUN 'n FUN Fly-In & Expo have orchestrated a historic
salute to kick-off the My MacDill Community Pride Campaign launched
earlier today by The Tampa Bay Defense Alliance (TBDA).
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150417/199498
John Leenhouts, President &
CEO of SUN 'n FUN said, "Flying in formation on Wednesday, April
22 is the Texas Flying Legends B-25 Mitchell followed by 4 T-6
Texas aircraft and 4 Yaks.
SUN 'n FUN is thrilled to recognize the men and women in service
around the world by sending vintage military aircraft over MacDill
in a "salute to veterans" fly-by during our 41st Annual
SUN 'n FUN International Fly-In & Expo. The Fly-In & Expo
is Florida's largest annual
convention and SUN 'n FUN's major fundraising event. We are
pleased to bring awareness to the significant role MacDill plays in
the stability of the nation's security. We are exceptionally
proud of the esteemed role that MacDill has in the Aerospace
Industry and the partnership that they offer student pilots being
trained year-round at the Aerospace Center for Excellence on the
SUN 'n FUN Convention Campus in Lakeland."
TBDA President John Schueler
said, "We have all been keeping this secret (and it's been killing
us) because of all the coordinated flight paths that were necessary
for the appropriate clearance with the FAA, MacDill AFB, and
Tampa International Airport; but
today, we are so thankful to SUN 'n FUN management, staff,
volunteers, and pilots who are making this historic one-of-a-kind
fly-over possible. From the bottom of our hearts, Hooah!"
The 41st Annual SUN 'n FUN International Fly-In &
Expo is being held April 21-26 in
Lakeland, FL. Two jet teams
will be appearing throughout the week. The Breitling Jet Team
will open the show on Tuesday for their very first appearance in
the United States. The weekend
will bring the USAF Thunderbirds for the guests after a Friday
student assembly in the Aerospace Pavilion with the team.
Organizers have planned for 500 exhibitors and vendors, 10,000
aircraft movements, more than 700 daily activities for the week,
student tours, the Commemorative Air Force Rise Above Traveling
Exhibit featuring the remarkable history of the Tuskegee Airmen and
the largest collection of Warbirds on the grounds in a
decade. There is also a full array of evening
activities. From country bands to aviation notables, military
history will come alive with Gary Powers,
Jr. presenting the history of his father's U-2 incident, and
the SR-71 Pilots. Air America in the Veterans Plaza will be
presenting memories as we recognize 40 years since their last
flight out of Saigon. All proceeds from any event on the
SUN 'n FUN Convention Campus will be returned to education
programs, activities, and facilities.
SUN 'n FUN's mission is to preserve and enhance the future of
flight through world-class events, inspiring and educating people
of all ages. SUN 'n FUN Fly-In, Inc. is a 501(c)3
corporation. Make plans now to attend the 41st Annual SUN 'n
FUN International Fly-In & Expo April 21-26, 2015. Visit
www.sun-n-fun.org and mark your calendar to join us for year-round
events.
For more information on My MacDill Community Pride Campaign,
Call 855-MYMACDILL or visit www.MyMacDill.Com.
About SUN 'n FUN
The SUN 'n FUN Convention Campus, home to the Aerospace Center for
Excellence (ACE) hosts a number of year-round education and
recreation activities. Located on the campus is Aerospace
Discovery at the Florida Air Museum, host to the personal aviation
collection of Howard Hughes and the
Florida Aviation Hall of Fame. All educational programs and
activities offer aviation-based STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math) curriculums and a year-round calendar of
events can be found at www.sun-n-fun.org.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sun-n-fun-salutes-macdill-afb-with-warbird-fly-over-300068096.html
SOURCE Tampa Bay Defense Alliance