Barksdale Air Force Base Defenders of Liberty Air Show Returns

After being scrapped last year due to federal sequester cuts, the Barksdale Air Force Base Defenders of Liberty Air Show is back on for 2014. Air Show Director Warren Carroll tells KEEL News the favorites we saw in 2012 will be making appearances.

"Headliners are the Air Force Thunderbirds this year. We are excited to have them return," Major Carroll says. "We've got the B-52. Of course, I must put in a plug there for our guys over at Barksdale. The B-52 will be doing a fly-by, and we'll be showcasing the airmen of Team Barksdale all over the place."

And Major Carroll says there are lots of other acts, too, like the F-22 Demo Team, which was supposed to be here in 2011. "That was right when the F-22 had some problems and they didn't up flying for that air show," he says. "But they're back this year, and it's going to be outstanding. They're ready to go."

Also on the lineup is aerobatic pilot Mike Goulian, one of the top civilian air show performers on the circuit. He'll be flying a single-wing prop airplane coreographed to music. Randy "Bandit" Ball from Tyler, Texas, will fly a MiG-17F. And Major Carroll says Kevin Coleman is also a local favorite. The show also features Dave Leedom, the 93d Bomb Squadron Commander from BAFB, and an A-10 fly-by from the 47th Fighter Squadron at Barksdale.

The Barksdale Air Show is set for April 26th and 27th starting at 9 a.m. both days. Major Carroll says you can show up early and look at the static displays, and the flying begins at 11. Things usually wrap up at around 5 each evening.

There's no admission cost to get in to the show. Bossier City police will be handling traffic control at the West Gate as you head into and out of the base.

CLICK HERE for the complete list of performers and an event schedule.

Major Carroll also talked about what watching this air show is like from a pilot's perspective. Listen to that here: