2009 NND ready to rock Minot Published June 24, 2009 By Senior Airman Wesley Wright Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- With "Warriors on the Prairie" as the theme, the base's 2009 Northern Neighbor's Day is set to deliver a slam-bam aerial performance July 18. Headlining the full day of spectacular performances by some the Department of Defense's most elite specialists is the Army's Golden Knight parachute team. For 50 years the "Golden Knights" have been wowing audiences at air shows, competitions and most recently, with high profile tandems. The premiere parachute teams travel all over the country performing aerial demonstrations at air shows and special events in support of Army recruiting goals. The teams travel, competing nationally and internationally at various skydiving competitions, continuously bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals. They are the most successful U.S. Department of Defense sports team. Highlighting the undercard is the Air Force's elite Viper West Coast Demonstration team, which showcases the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a single-seat, multi-mission fighter with the ability to switch from an air-to-ground to air-to-air role at the touch of a button. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. Minot's own Airmen will demonstrate part of what makes the U.S. Air Force the greatest Air and Space power in the world during a flyby of the B-52H Stratofortress. The B-52 is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet (15,166.6 meters). It can carry nuclear or precision guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability. A Lockheed U-2 will also be performing a flyby. Nicknamed "Dragon Lady", the U-2 is a single-engine, high-altitude surveillance aircraft flown by the United States Air Force and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency. It provides day and night, high-altitude (70,000 feet/21,000 meters), all-weather surveillance. The aircraft is also used for electronic sensor research and development, satellite calibration, and satellite data validation. A touch of nostalgia will also be added to the show during a heritage flight which will include a P-38 Lightning and an F-16. The U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight program was established in 1997 to commemorate the Air Force's 50th anniversary. It involves today's state-of-the-art fighters flying in close formation with World War II, Korean and Vietnam era fighters. The flight's mission is to safely and proudly display the evolution of U.S. Air Force airpower and to support the Air Force's recruiting and retention efforts. Another timeless classic aerial wonder will be performed by Minot natives, and brothers, Kent and Warren Pietsch. The brothers perform a variety of aerobatics, including a deadstick routine from 6,000 feet and a rooftop landing on a moving RV. John Mohr will also be barnstorming in the skies over the air show. With more than 25,000 hours of flying experience (that's more than two years of his life spent in the air) John Mohr is one of the most talented and exciting pilots on the air show circuit. He performs extremely difficult maneuvers in a meticulously restored 1943 stock 220 Stearman bi-plane. The air show will also feature around 20 static aircraft displays. From Canada's DHC-8 to a P-51 Mustang, the static displays will give audience members a close up glimpse of numerous military aircraft. Given the past success of air shows at Minot AFB and the strength of the itinerary this year, the 2009 NND promises to be spectacular show and an opportunity for family and friends to come together. For updated information on the 2009 NND, visit http://www.minot.af.mil/airshow/index.asp.