Air Force Week Los Angeles is designed to expose the local population to the incredible power and capabilities of the U.S. Air Force and strengthen support for Airmen serving worldwide in the defense of freedom.

The highlight of the kick-off event was a flyover by several Air Force aircraft, including an F-22 Raptor, a C-17 Globemaster III, a B-1 Lancer and a U-2 Dragon Lady, which is currently involved in firefighting efforts in Southern California. The flyover was the first of its kind to take place over Hollywood Boulevard.

Also on display at the ceremony was the Air Force NASCAR automobile, an F-22 Raptor simulator and a "Do Something Amazing" recruiting exhibit. The Air Force Band of the Golden West, from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., played various musical selections and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performed for the audience.

The event also paid special tribute to 44 former Airmen who have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, including the late Jimmy Stewart, Charlton Heston and Walter Matthau and modern day stars like Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman and Norman Lear. The Air Force also was presented its own honorary replica of a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

"This is a great day for the Air Force and for the city of Los Angeles," said Gen. C. Robert Kehler, Air Force Space Command commander, during the event's opening remarks. "And it's going to be an exciting week."

The ceremony was not only a chance for the people of Los Angeles to experience the sights and sounds of the Air Force, but also a chance to strengthen the bonds between the service and the city.

"There's been a long relationship between the Air Force and Hollywood," said Leron Gubler, president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. "Events like this will only increase this relationship."

This relationship extends beyond Hollywood. It encompasses the entire state of California, said General Kehler.

"California is instrumental to air and space enterprises as indicated by an air and space economic impact in excess of $125 billion," he said. "California has a long legacy of air and space 'firsts' and continues to lead the nation in technology. The Air Force has reaped tremendous benefits from California's air and space innovations, which help us daily to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace."

Other Air Force Week Los Angeles activities include "Wings Over Long Beach," an air show at the Long Beach airport, an Air Force Film Festival and a free concert performed by the Air Force Band of the Golden West at the historic Warner Grand Theater. Southern California Air Force bases participating in Air Force Week include Los Angeles AFB, Vandenberg AFB, Edwards AFB, March Air Reserve Base and Channel Islands Air National Guard Station.

For Air Force Week details or online film festival reservations, visit www.airforceweek.com.

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The two-day expo, called "Wings Over Long Beach," is part of Air Force Week Los Angeles, an event designed to educate the local population about the Air Force's capabilities and missions through various activities and exhibitions all over the Los Angeles area.

For Dominik, the event was eye-opening -- especially when he toured the KC-135 Stratotanker on display.

"These planes are awesome," he said. "And I had no idea the Air Force had planes that were basically flying gas tanks that refuel other planes in the sky."

His education didn't stop there, either. Dominik was also able to see and explore other Air Force aircraft, including a C-17 Globemaster III, a C-130 Hercules, an M-Q1 Predator Unmanned Aerial System and a B-52 Stratofortress. At each stop, he not only saw the aircraft, but learned about their capabilities and why each one was important to the Air Force's aerospace mission.

"That's what events like this are all about," said Tech. Sgt. Dorian Johnson, a boom operator for the KC-135 on display at the expo. "We're informing people about the Air Force and helping them understand what we do and how we do it."

In return, the event gave many people the chance to show their appreciation for what Airmen like Sergeant Johnson do on a daily basis.

"People have been coming up and thanking me all day," Sergeant Johnson said. "It's been a very positive experience."

One of those people, Harold Tucker, has been coming to air shows all his life.

"I enjoy looking at all the planes, and I'm always amazed how our technology changes," said the 63-year-old. "And believe me, I've seen a lot of changes in my time." Some of these changes were on display. A P-51 Mustang and an F-16 Fighting Falcon were both part of the exhibit, giving attendees a glimpse of the Air Force's storied past and its intimidating present.

On some, the impact of this event was obvious.

"I want to be a pilot," said Harrison Thomas, an 8-year-old attending the event. "I want to fly one of these jets."

For others, the impact was more subtle.

"I have a new respect for the Air Force," Mr. Tucker said. "Of course, every time I come to one of these shows, I seem to be more amazed than I was at the last one. Who knows what I'll be looking at a few years from now."

Dominik does.

"The Air Force will have faster jets," he said, "oh, and better submarines."

Other Air Force Week Los Angeles activities include an Air Force Film Festival and a free concert performed by the Air Force Band of the Golden West at the historic Warner Grand Theater.

For Air Force Week details or online film festival reservations, visit www.airforceweeklosangeles.com.

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DAZZLING MILITARY AIRCRAFT FLYOVERS: Media will see and hear Hollywood's first spectacular, breathtaking flyover of aircraft like U-2 Dragon Lady surveillance plane made historic when its pilot, Francis Gary Powers, survived being shot down while over the Soviet Union in 1960 and eventually came to Los Angeles as a TV news helicopter pilot; and also a single engine, multi-role F-16 Fighting Falcon, equally capable of handling combat against enemy aircraft and striking enemy targets with devastating accuracy. Other flyovers are the B-1 Lancer supersonic bomber, the only variable-sweep wing aircraft in the U.S. military inventory, and the F-22 Raptor, the Air Force's incredible stealth fighter unmatched by any known or projected fighter aircraft. Other aircraft participating in the flyover are the world's most versatile airlift aircraft, the C-17 Globemaster III, with a maximum payload of 170,900 pounds. The C-17 airlifts injured personnel, provides humanitarian assistance around the world in the aftermath of natural disasters and even brought Keiko the killer whale, star of "Free Willy," back to his home in Iceland. Additionally, you will see the legendary B-52 Stratofortress, which has the longest unrefueled range of any contemporary bomber.

SPECIAL GUESTS AND HONOREES: General C. Robert Kehler, commander of Air Force Space Command who leads 40,000 space professionals providing combat forces and capabilities; special guest, actor Ricky Schroeder; Airmen representing a wide cross-section of today's Air Force; plus special tribute to 44 former airmen with their own stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (including the late Jimmy Stewart, Charlton Heston and Walter Matthau and modern day stars like Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman and Norman Lear). The Air Force will be presented its own honorary replica of the Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

INTERACTIVE AIR FORCE EXPOSITION WITH NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN EXHIBITS AND DEMONSTRATIONS: From Friday to Sunday, Nov. 14-16, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hollywood & Highland Center, U.S. Air Force Exposition features the interactive F-22 Raptor flight simulator, an exact replica of the F-22 Raptor's cockpit, and allows participants to jump right in and see what it's like to fly an F-22. Other Expo highlights include a 30-foot missile on display; the Air Force NASCAR; air, space and cyberspace technology; gigantic aircraft models; satellite photos; pararescue, rifle drill team and martial arts demonstrations; famous costumes from Hollywood Air Force films; Air Force rock, jazz and Dixieland bands; and much more.

FREE FILM FESTIVALS: Free viewings of legendary movies include discussions with Air Force heroes, actors, directors and technical staff from the movies. Films include "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," Nov. 14 at Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Goldenson Theater, North Hollywood, with director Nicholas Meyer and Michael Dorn, USS Enterprise's Klingon officer, Lt. Worf, on "Star Trek: The Next Generation;" "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag," Nov. 16 at Regal Entertainment Canyon Country Theater, Santa Clarita, with a fighter pilot; "Apollo 13," Nov. 16 at Art Center College of Design Ahmanson Auditorium, Pasadena, with an astronaut and Lunar Rover display; and "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," Nov. 18 at Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood, honoring World War II surviving Doolittle Raiders and General Doolittle's granddaughter Joann Doolittle. Film festivals are free, but online reservations are required at www.airforceweek.com.

MORE EVENTS, CONCERT: Air Force Week activities also include Wings Over Long Beach, Nov. 15-16, at Long Beach Airport from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with aircraft displays and exhibitions (free parking, $5 admission). Air Force Band of the Golden West will also give a free concert at the historic Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro Nov. 16 at 3 p.m.

"California is instrumental to air and space enterprises as indicated by an air and space economic impact in excess of $125 billion," says General C. Robert Kehler, commander, Air Force Space Command. "California has a long legacy of air and space 'firsts' including Capt. 'Chuck' Yeager breaking the sound barrier in 1947 and building the first U.S. space station, Skylab I, and the first geosynchronous communication and meteorological satellites. California continues to lead the nation in technology and is a world leader in the development of future air and space capabilities. The Air Force has reaped tremendous benefits from California's air and space innovations, which help us daily to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace."

Southern California Air Force bases (AFB) participating in Air Force Week include Los Angeles AFB, Vandenberg AFB, Edwards AFB, March Air Reserve Base and Channel Islands Air National Guard Station.

For Air Force Week details or online film festival reservations, visit www.airforceweek.com.

SOURCE Los Angeles Air Force Base

http://www.airforceweek.com

All events, except for sports venues where the Air Force will be honored and band performances at area theme parks, are free and open to the public.

Air Force senior leaders had a vision to become more proactive in the way the Air Force communicates its story. That led to the idea of hosting Air Force Weeks, which are designed to build new relationships in metropolitan areas, expose Americans to the incredible power of the Air Force, and strengthen support for Airmen serving worldwide in defense of freedom. St. Louis hosted the inaugural event in 2006. In addition to Los Angeles, Air Force Weeks in 2008 were held in Philadelphia and Omaha, Neb. Each year, Air Force officials consider new locations across the country to expand the reach of this program and build new and lasting relationships in each metropolitan area.

"California is instrumental to air and space enterprises as indicated by an air and space economic impact in excess of $125 billion," said Gen. C. Robert "Bob" Kehler, the commander of Air Force Space Command. "California has a long legacy of air and space 'firsts' including Capt. 'Chuck' Yeager breaking the sound barrier in 1947 and building the first U.S. space station, and the first geosynchronous communication and meteorological satellites. California continues to lead the nation in technology and is a world leader in the development of future air and space capabilities. The Air Force has reaped tremendous benefits from California's air and space innovations, which help us daily to fly, fight, and win in air, space and cyberspace."

"It's an honor for us to host such an important event and I am excited to showcase our global Air Force missions to all of Southern California," said Lt. Gen. John T. "Tom" Sheridan, the Space and Missile Systems Center commander.

Air Force Week kicks off with a proclamation ceremony Nov. 14 at Hollywood and Highland Center, located in the heart of Hollywood. The Air Force Honor Guard, Air Force Band of the Golden West and an aerial review will be featured.

Hollywood and Highland is also the location for the three-day Air Force Expo Nov. 14 through 16. Visitors will be able to fly in an F-22 Raptor flight simulator and spin in a gyro chair. Mini-jets, jet engines, models and photos will be on display. A number of demonstrations, including performances by the Air Force Honor Guard drill team, are planned. The Air National Guard will have bands performing throughout the weekend at the expo. Visitors will be able to meet Air Force heroes and astronauts. In addition to the expo in Hollywood, a one-day expo will be held Nov. 15 at Riverside Plaza in Riverside.

Military aircraft will be on display at "Wings Over Long Beach" at the Long Beach Airport Nov. 15 and 16. Aircaft on display includes the C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, C-130 Hercules, B-52 Stratofortress, F-16 Fighting Falcon and an MQ-1 Predator. The Band of the Golden West's Rhythm N' Brass and the Air Force Honor Guard drill team will be performing throughout the day.

Air Force-themed film festivals begin with a showing of "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood. Other films scheduled include "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag" at the Regal Cinemas Canyon County 10 Nov. 16, "Apollo 13" at Pasadena's Art Center College of Design Nov. 16 and "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" at the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences Nov. 16. A question-and-answer period with directors, technical specialists and others who worked on or were associated with that film will follow each showing. Special guests scheduled to appear at "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" are General Doolittle's granddaughter and two surviving Doolittle Raiders; at "Fighter Pilot," a pilot will answer questions; and at "Star Trek VI," the movie's director, Nicholas Meyer, will appear. Tickets for the films are free; however, advance reservations are required. Reserve your ticket online at www.airforceweeklosangeles.com/filmfestival.php.

The Band of the Golden West will present a free concert, featuring the music of Academy Award winning composer and Air Force veteran John Williams, at the historic Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro, Nov. 16. The concert starts at 3 p.m. During the week, the band will be performing at Disneyland Nov. 17 and at schools near March Air Reserve Base Nov. 18. In addition to the Air Force expo, the Air National Guard Band will be performing at Knott's Berry Farm Nov. 15.

For more information about Air Force Week in Los Angeles events, visit www.airforceweek.com or call 866-751-USAF (8723).