Air Force Announces Air Force Week in Philadelphia Events Published May 15, 2008 By 080515 MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- The United States Air Force is proud to announce events planned for Air Force Week in Philadelphia, May 26 - June 2. Activities in the Philadelphia metro region will begin on Memorial Day, May 26, and culminate with an Air Exposition--featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team--hosted by McGuire Air Force Base May 31 and June 1. Air Force Weeks afford local communities the opportunity to meet, interact, and build lasting relationships with active-duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard Airmen. Locally, McGuire AFB was chosen to provide leadership and support for the weeklong activities. "We are extremely proud to partner with our neighbors to host events throughout the Philadelphia metro region," said Lt. Col. Christopher Hauth, Air Force Week in Philadelphia director. "Citizens attending activities throughout the week will see the significant contributions, assets and talents of our Total Force Airmen." For more information, visit www.airforceweekinphiladelphia.com or call (609) 754-8336. AIR FORCE WEEK IN PHILADELPHIA SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: PHILLY CARES LOCATION: Friends Community Garden DATE & TIME: May 22, 2008 from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Members of Team McGuire will join Greater Philadelphia Cares to plant vegetables at the Friends Community Garden. This event highlights a unique partnership between Pennsylvania Horticultural Society; the Philadelphia Prison System, and SHARE, a food cupboard distribution network. BRIDESBURG MEMORIAL DAY PARADE LOCATION: Bridesburg Borough DATE & TIME: May 26 2008, Parade begins at 10 a.m., Air Force Showcase follows at 12 p.m. The parade will feature a fly-by from the United States Air Force, a performance by the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal demonstration, a Security Forces Military Working Dog demonstration, a Contingency Response Wing Expeditionary Display, and a Parade of Uniforms booth. AIR FORCE DAY AT THE PHILLIES VS. ROCKIES GAME LOCATION: Citizens Bank Park DATE & TIME: May 26, 2008, Pregame activities begin at 5:30 p.m., First Pitch is 7:05 p.m. The Philadelphia Phillies will host the Air Force during their game against the Colorado Rockies. Pregame festivities will feature a fly-by from the Air Force, a presentation of the Air Force Combat Action Medals, an enlistment ceremony and many other activities. First pitch will be thrown out by Gen. Arthur J. Lichte, Air Mobility Command commander. GLOBAL POWER DISPLAYS AT THE FRANKLIN LOCATION: The Franklin Institute DATE & TIME: May 26 - 30, 2008. All day The Franklin Institute will feature Air Force displays that highlight the capabilities of the Air Force and the Air Force's rich history AIR FORCE DAY AT THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO LOCATION: Philadelphia Zoo DATE & TIME: May 27, 2008, All day The Philadelphia Zoo will feature various Air Force displays, including a Bird Air Strike Hazard Falconer and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot throughout the zoo. In addition, several members of the Air Force medical, aviation and support fields will be available to answer questions and discuss today's Air Force. Attendees will also have the opportunity to get their picture taken with American Airmen. AIR FORCE CELEBRATION AT INDEPENDENCE HALL LOCATION: Independence Hall National Historical Park, DATE & TIME: May 27, 2008, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. General Arthur J. Lichte, Air Mobility Command commander will be on hand to celebrate the Air Force. Other activities include a concert by the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal demonstration, a Security Forces Military Working Dog demonstration, Contingency Response Wing Expeditionary Display, and a Parade of Uniforms booth. LEADERSHIP FORUM LOCATION: Zellerbach Theater at the Annenberg Center, University of Pennsylvania DATE & TIME: May 27, 2008, 6 - 8 p.m. KEY SPEAKER: Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, U.S. Transportation Command commander will lead a discussion with other Air Force senior leaders on issues facing today's Air Force. 'FIGHTING FOR LIFE' MOVIE AND COMMENTARY LOCATION: University of the Arts DATE & TIME: May 28, 2008, 5:30 p.m. Terry Sanders, director of 'Fighting for Life' and two-time Academy Award Winner, will highlight the powerful and emotional feature documentary film, a real-life "MASH" for our times. The film tells the story of doctors and nurses fighting on the frontlines in the battle for life. It interweaves three stories: Military doctors, nurses and medics; wounded soldiers and marines; and students at USU, the military's medical school who are in the process of becoming career military physicians. GLOBAL POWER IMAX FILM - 'FIGHTER PILOT: OPERATION RED FLAG' LOCATION: The Franklin Institute DATE & TIME: May 28, 2008, 9 p.m. Lt. Gen. Raymond E. Johns, Jr., Strategic Plans and Programs deputy chief of staff, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. will discuss and present "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag", a film showcasing Air Force operational capabilities in a combat training environment. This complements a Global Power theme with week-long technology demonstrations and displays at the Franklin Institute. GLOBAL PRESENCE AT THE LIBERTY MUSEUM LOCATION: Liberty Museum DATE & TIME: May 29, 2008, 2 - 6 p.m. Lt. Gen. Christopher A. Kelly, Air Mobility Command vice commander; Mr. Charles Martin, Major Tommy B. McGuire, Jr.'s biographer; Brig. Gen. Maria Falca-Dodson, New Jersey Air National Guard assistant adjutant general; and many Air Force historian, artists and veterans will speak on the Air Force's global presence, current and historical operations. The event will also include a film on the Berlin Airlift. BARNES & NOBLE BOOK SIGNING LOCATION: Barnes and Noble, 425 Marketplace Blvd, Hamilton, New Jersey DATE & TIME: May 30, 2008, 6:30 - 9 p.m. Barnes & Noble bookstore and local military authors will join together to celebrate Air Force Week in Philadelphia. Authors and biographers Gary Boyd, author of 'McGuire Air Force Base, Images of America'; and Charles Martin, author of 'The Last Great Ace: A Biography of Maj. Thomas B. McGuire, Jr.' will be available to autograph their books. Others schedule to autograph memoirs include: David Nagel, 305th Bomb Group veteran, 'Brotherhood of Courage; the 305th Bomb Group in World War II', by Walt Thom; and George Watson, original Tuskegee Airman. WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY LOCATION: McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey DATE & TIME: May 31, 2008, 10:15 a.m. McGuire Air Force Base, the Thomas B. McGuire Foundation, and the New Jersey State Police will host the event to honor the sacrifice of our veterans and fallen brothers in arms. The ceremony will take place in front of the historic B-17 Flying Fortress and C-47 Skytrain static aircraft displays on McGuire's flightline. Other activities include: music by the New Jersey State Police Pipes and Drums of the Blue and Gold, Memorial Day tributes by two students from the North Hanover Townships School District and a 21-gun salute. A fly-over by McGuire AFB's KC-135 Stratotanker and KC-10 Extender will culminate the ceremony. 2008 MCGUIRE AIR EXPO LOCATION: McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey DATE & TIME: May 31-June 1, 2008, Gates open at 9 a.m., performances begin at 11 a.m. The 305th Air Mobility Wing will host the 2008 McGuire Air Expo, FREE to the public. Event headliner is the USAF Thunderbirds. The base's own KC-10 Extender, C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker will also be on display. Our "Above All...Be Inspired" theme captures USAF members desire to inspire others and provides a fitting conclusion to this year's Air Force Week in Philadelphia. For more info, visit http://www.mcguireairexpo.info or call (609) 754-1919. -30- Note: For media availabilities and/or interviews, please contact the 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office at (609) 754-2104. Looking for media credentials for the 2008 McGuire Air Expo? Information available at www.mcguire.af.mil/media/index.asp.