SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MICH.- The base here will commemorate the 90th Anniversary of military aviation at Selfridge Field and the 60th Anniversary of the Air Force during its Air Show and Open House scheduled for July 21 and 22.

The air show will showcase the personnel, modern military aircraft and hardware that are currently contributing to the global war on terror representing all branches of the military and the Coast Guard. The U.S. Army Parachute Team, "Golden Knights" will be performing their skydiving acrobatics and military aircraft, both old and new, will litter the runway for spectators to review.

Civilian acts include previous Selfridge air show favorites like Michael Hunter and the Flight for Diabetes and the F-104 Starfighters. Also performing at this year's show will be the Tinstix of Dynamite - an aerial mix of demonstration pilots and a world class pyrotechnics; "Mr. Airshow"

Gene Soucy and his wing walking act; and, MIG-17 Fighter Jets to name a few.  The base officially opened as "Joy Aviation Field" on July 1, 1917, through a lease by the Army from Mr. Henry Joy, president of Packard Motor Car Company, shortly after the U.S. entered World War I. Company G of the 33rd Michigan National Guard occupied the field, and the first air service men arrived on July 7, 1917, when the 9th and 9th Aero Squadrons of the Army Signal Corps arrived from Kelly Field, Texas to fly Curtiss JN-4D biplanes. Since then, the base has been home to a multitude of military services and aircraft, and has been called America's No.1 Hornet's Nest, Home of Generals, and Home of the MiG Killers.

The Michigan Air National Guard became the host unit in 1971 and currently, under the designation of the 127th Wing, flies F-16 Fighting Falcons and C-130 Hercules. The 927th Air Force Reserves fly KC-135 Stratotankers from the base also. 

MEDIA ADVISORY:

The air show provides many opportunities for media coverage and photography of an exciting air show with a close look at military people and equipment.

The Selfridge Air Show will provide a high-visibility location where your personnel can interact with the hundreds of thousands of air show visitors and the acts that make up the show. Also, the 90th Anniversary of Military Aviation at Selfridge is a historical national event with only two other military airstrips older than ours. If your media outlet has specific story ideas for either the air show or anniversary events, please contact the 127th Wing Public Affairs office for assistance at 586-307-5576.