SUN 'n FUN Salutes MacDill AFB with Warbird Fly-Over

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Apr 17, 2015, 08:34 ET

TAMPA, Fla., April 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- If you hear the skies over Tampa rumbling like never before, it won't be coming from MacDill Air Force Base! Next Wednesday morning around 8:00 am, the folks at SUN 'n FUN Fly-In & Expo have orchestrated a historic salute to kick-off the My MacDill Community Pride Campaign launched earlier today by The Tampa Bay Defense Alliance (TBDA).

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150417/199498

John Leenhouts, President & CEO of SUN 'n FUN said, "Flying in formation on Wednesday, April 22 is the Texas Flying Legends B-25 Mitchell followed by 4 T-6 Texas aircraft and 4 Yaks. SUN 'n FUN is thrilled to recognize the men and women in service around the world by sending vintage military aircraft over MacDill in a "salute to veterans" fly-by during our 41^st Annual SUN 'n FUN International Fly-In & Expo. The Fly-In & Expo is Florida's largest annual convention and SUN 'n FUN's major fundraising event. We are pleased to bring awareness to the significant role MacDill plays in the stability of the nation's security. We are exceptionally proud of the esteemed role that MacDill has in the Aerospace Industry and the partnership that they offer student pilots being trained year-round at the Aerospace Center for Excellence on the SUN 'n FUN Convention Campus in Lakeland."

TBDA President John Schueler said, "We have all been keeping this secret (and it's been killing us) because of all the coordinated flight paths that were necessary for the appropriate clearance with the FAA, MacDill AFB, and Tampa International Airport; but today, we are so thankful to SUN 'n FUN management, staff, volunteers, and pilots who are making this historic one-of-a-kind fly-over possible. From the bottom of our hearts, Hooah!"

The 41^st Annual SUN 'n FUN International Fly-In & Expo is being held April 21-26 in Lakeland, FL. Two jet teams will be appearing throughout the week. The Breitling Jet Team will open the show on Tuesday for their very first appearance in the United States. The weekend will bring the USAF Thunderbirds for the guests after a Friday student assembly in the Aerospace Pavilion with the team. Organizers have planned for 500 exhibitors and vendors, 10,000 aircraft movements, more than 700 daily activities for the week, student tours, the Commemorative Air Force Rise Above Traveling Exhibit featuring the remarkable history of the Tuskegee Airmen and the largest collection of Warbirds on the grounds in a decade. There is also a full array of evening activities. From country bands to aviation notables, military history will come alive with Gary Powers, Jr. presenting the history of his father's U-2 incident, and the SR-71 Pilots. Air America in the Veterans Plaza will be presenting memories as we recognize 40 years since their last flight out of Saigon. All proceeds from any event on the SUN 'n FUN Convention Campus will be returned to education programs, activities, and facilities.

SUN 'n FUN's mission is to preserve and enhance the future of flight through world-class events, inspiring and educating people of all ages. SUN 'n FUN Fly-In, Inc. is a 501(c)3 corporation. Make plans now to attend the 41st Annual SUN 'n FUN International Fly-In & Expo April 21-26, 2015. Visit www.sun-n-fun.org and mark your calendar to join us for year-round events.

For more information on My MacDill Community Pride Campaign, Call 855-MYMACDILL or visit www.MyMacDill.Com.

About SUN 'n FUN
The SUN 'n FUN Convention Campus, home to the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) hosts a number of year-round education and recreation activities. Located on the campus is Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum, host to the personal aviation collection of Howard Hughes and the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame. All educational programs and activities offer aviation-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculums and a year-round calendar of events can be found at www.sun-n-fun.org.

SOURCE Tampa Bay Defense Alliance