An estimated 200,000-plus people flocked to Nellis Air Force Base in North Las Vegas for Aviation Nation 2007, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force.

In celebrating 60-years of military flight, the show features plans from all eras starting with WWI and stretching to the jet fighter of the 21st century.

One of the biggest draws was the demonstration by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds, who call Nellis AFB home, execute various maneuvers with astonishing precision. Their fly-by-wire F-16s were once state-of-the-art, but as they approach 30 years of service, they are being rendered obsolete by more advanced designs that combine the speed and maneuverability of the F-16 with stealth technology.

Tomorrow’s jet fighter flew maneuvers during the show. After impressing onlookers on the ground with several high-speed passes and various demonstrations of mind-boggling maneuverability—like the ability to turn the nose 180 degrees on the Y-axis—the F-22 was joined by three other plans—the WWII-era P-51 Mustang, the Vietnam- and Korean War-era F-4 Phantom and the A-10 Thunderbolt, a close air support jet currently deployed in Iraq—for a legacy flight paying tribute to the history of military flight.

By Casino Connection Staff

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