D-M hosts Heritage Flight Conference

by Staff Sgt. Jake Richmond
355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/11/2009 - DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- State of the art and historic military aircraft from around the country came here March 4-8 for Air Combat Command's annual Heritage Flight Conference.

The Heritage Flight Conference allows civilian and military pilots to train together in preparation for the spring and summer air show seasons. Heritage formations, during which modern and historic fighters fly together, are a popular highlight event at air shows throughout the United States and Canada.

The historic aircraft that flew in this year's HFC included the P-51 Mustang, A-1 Sky Raider, F-4 Phantom II, P-40 Warhawk, and F-86 Sabre. The modern ACC flying demonstration aircraft included the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the F-15 Eagle, the F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F-22A Raptor.

Approximately 300 people showed up on the designated flying days, March 6-8, and watched the demonstration flights from bleachers set up on the flight line.



A-10C 79-0213 (marked 23 FG), an F-4 Phantom II, and a P-40 Warhawk fly in formation during the Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan AFB on March 7th, 2009. Pilots of old and new aircraft come to the HFC every year to practice demonstration flights together before the air show season. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Noah R. Johnson) Hi-res



A-10C 78-0712 (marked 355 FW) flies in formation with an A-1 Skyraider at the Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan AFB on March 7th, 2009. The Skyraider, which was employed in combat in Vietnam and Korea, is one of the A-10's attack aircraft predecessors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Valerie Smith) Hi-res



A-10C 79-0213 (marked 23 FG) flies in formation with an F-4 Phantom II, a P-40 Warhawk, and an F-16C Fighting Falcon during the Heritage Flight Conference at Davis-Monthan AFB on March 7th, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Valerie Smith) Hi-res

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