2. America

2009 MCAS Air Show

The theme for the 2009 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show in San Diego is "A Salute to Teamwork". With 400, 500, 800 and 1,000 miles per hour in the sky, every split of a second does count. Precision in timing and navigation requires dedicated teamwork. The air show was dedicated to the magnificent men and women who are the heart and soul of Marine Aviation and the inventory of aircraft they fly and maintain.
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    The F/A-18 Hornet is a multi-mission, high-performance jet designed for fighter and attack missions. The Hornet's unique combination of power and light weight gives this aircraft impressive maneuverability, climb and acceleration. The agility of the fighter is crucial in combat as it engages both land and airborne targets. When battle-ready, the Hornet can carry up to 17,000 pounds of armament, including a six-barrel 20mm cannon, two Sparrow and two Sidewinder missiles and externally-carried weapons. The Hornet's design is a fighter/attack aircraft was employed during the Gulf War, when two F/A-18s shot down two enemy aircraft and with a mere flip of a switch, changed roles and delivered four 2,000-pound bombs with pinpoint accuracy. During operation Iraqi Freedom, Navy and Marine Corps pilots used the F/A-18 for both attack and close air support missions as they moved up into Iraq. The Navy deployed 90 F/A-18s from four aircraft carriers and the Marines put 36 F/A-18As and 36 F/A 18Cs into action. The Marines also deployed 12 F/A 18Ds, in tactical air coordination and airborne forward control roles. Four USMC F/A-18s and two F/A-18Ds were damaged, but all returned to base. One Nay F/A-18 was lost in combat.
    The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft that provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the U.S. and allied nations. In an air combat role, the F-16's maneuverability and combat radius exceed that of all potential enemy fighter aircraft. In an air-to-surface role, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles, deliver its weapons with accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft and return to its starting point. The first F-16 to fly was a single-seat model that left the ground in 1976. The first operational F-16 was delivered in 1979 to the 40th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. The F-16 was built under a unique agreement between the U.S. and the NATO countries. The benefits were to be a technology transfer among the countries, and a common-use aircraft for the NATO nations. USAF F-16 multi-mission fighters were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 to support Operation Desert suppression of enemy air defense, offensive counter air, defensive counter air, close air support and forward air controller missions. Mission results were outstanding as these fighters destroyed radar sites, vehicles, tanks, MIGs and buildings.