MCGUIRE AFB TO HOST 2008 AIR EXPO Published Feb. 28, 2008 By 080228 MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. - -- The 305th Air Mobility Wing will host the 2008 McGuire Air Expo - which is free and open to the public - May 31 and June 1. The two-day event, themed "Above All ... Be Inspired", will culminate Air Force Week in Philadelphia activities and feature performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, F-15 Eagle and F-22 Raptor air demonstration teams. A large number of current and former military aircraft, including the base's own KC-10 Extender and C-17 Globemaster III, will also be on display. "Our aircraft are phenomenal, but people make the real difference. Our Airmen are on the front lines in the Global War on Terrorism. This Air Expo is a terrific opportunity to celebrate America's Airmen, their amazing accomplishments, and your United States Air Force," said Col. Balan Ayyar, the installation and 305th AMW commander. "It's a privilege to demonstrate our enduring commitments to mission excellence, developing leaders and preserving resources and at the same time inspire young men and women towards service. This is also our way of saying thanks for the wonderful support our region provides our Airmen and their families." Gates will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily with performances from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Static displays will be open all day. Admission and parking are free. Base officials expect more than 300,000 guests to attend. As America's Premier Joint Warfighting Base and Air Mobility Center of Excellence, McGuire is home to two active-duty Air Force wings, one Air Force Reserve wing, one Air National Guard wing, and an Expeditionary Mobility Task Force. Installation support responsibilities span Active, Reserve, and Guard units from nearby Fort Dix and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst. For more information about the 2008 McGuire Air Expo, visit www.mcguireairexpo.info or call McGuire's air expo information line at (609) 754-1919. - 30 - Note: Media representatives interested in interviews may contact the 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Office at (609) 754-2104. More information about Air Force Week in Philadelphia and the 2008 McGuire Air Expo is available at www.mcguire.af.mil.