Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station Welcomes F-22 Raptor

Air Force Demonstration Team to Base in Western NY for Toronto Air Show this Weekend

Related Media

The Air Force F-22 Raptor. The F-22 Demonstration Team will base out of Niagara Falls this weekend for the Toronto Airshow.

NIAGARA FALLS, NY (09/04/2009)(readMedia)-- The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station supports the Canadian International Air Show in a unique way this year.

The Air Reserve Station is home to the Air Force Reserve 914th Airlift Wing and the New York Air National Guard's 107th Airlift Wing. The two Air Force Reserve Component elements share the C-130 aircraft as a combined wing.

The base is hosting the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, who is performing at the air show in Toronto this weekend. "Staging our performance out of Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station allows us to showcase the Raptor to our Canadian allies. Without the support of Niagara Falls ARS this demonstration would not be possible," said Maj. Dave Skalicky, F-22 Demonstration Team pilot and commander.

WHO: Pilots and maintenance members of the U.S. Air Force F-22 Demonstration Team.

WHAT: Media availability during the weekend of the Canadian International Air Show

WHEN: 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2009.

WHERE: Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, Kirkbridge Drive, Niagara Falls IAP-ARS, NY 14304-5001

VISUAL OPPORTUNITY:

The media is invited to view a take-off and landing, as well as have the opportunity to interview the aircraft pilot and maintenance team. Interested media should report to the front gate of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station NLT 2:15 pm on Saturday, September 5, 2009.

BACKGROUND:

The F-22 is the world's only operational fifth-generation fighter, and the demonstration showcases precision aerial maneuvers to highlight the unique capabilities of the aircraft. The Raptor is an air dominance aircraft incorporating stealth technology, supercruise (flying above Mach without afterburner), and advanced flight control systems. To learn more about the aircraft and the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, please visit

http://www.acc.af.mil/aerialevents/f22a/index.asp

New media must RSVP for this event to the 914th Public Affairs office at 716-236-2139/6/7 in order to gain access to the secure facility.