The Barksdale Air Force Base Defenders of Liberty Air Show is set for April 26-27. Guests may enter the base through Gates 23, 25, and 27, which will open at 9 a.m.

Performances begin at 11 a.m., with the final performance taking off at 3 p.m. Following the show, the pilots will sign autographs until 4:30 p.m. Guests may also tour retired military planes and static displays, as well as other equipment.

Barksdale AFB is known as the home of the American Boeing B-52. The plane is a long-range, jet-powered strategic bomber that can carry 70,000 pounds of weapons. Its speed reaches 644 miles per hour or over 10 miles per minute.

The show was scrapped last year due to federal sequester cuts, but it is back on for 2014. Air Show Director Warren Carroll tells KEEL News the favorites we saw in 2012 will be back.

“The Air Force Thunderbirds are back 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.”

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 choreographed 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.

For more information about the Open House and Air Show, including performance lists, maps, etc. visit www.barksdaleafbairshow.com or call (318) 456-6955.

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