The Aviation Magazine No:46 September-October 2016 | Page 10
This year’s DFW air show provided a very varied array of aircraft in the
static display as well as a thrilling aerial display that had a good collection
of Vietnam war era aircraft, the Air Force F‐16 Viper Demo and of course,
the Blue Angels.
The Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony provided
a very well executed demonstration of a downed US pilot and the rigours
of providing aerial support to rescue aircraft in the quest to extract the
downed pilot and fly to safety. The A‐26 Invader was the fastest U.S. twin‐
engined bomber in World War II built by the Douglas Aircraft Co. The In‐
vader is the only bomber to serve in three wars: World War II, Korea, and
Vietnam. Flying from 1944–1965, the A‐26 light attack bomber, flew many
night interdiction missions. The Invaders carried 14 x .50 caliber machine
guns and 2,000 lbs of bombs.
Air Power Expo 2016 surely thrilled the crowds all thru the day culminat‐
ing with the Blue Angels flying display bringing to a close a meticulously
prepared air show well appreciated by the crowds present.
F‐16s from the 301st FW was conspicuous by its absence in the static dis‐
play at Air Expo but there was a good reason for the lack of participation
as the Wing deployed to an undisclosed area in SW Asia during that same
air show weekend. One of the 301st jets seen being prepared for the long
trip in preparation for the deployment.
A‐26 Invader center, and the USAF Heritage Flight: F‐16 Fighting Falcon and the P‐51 Mustang