The 2008 Heritage Flight Conference.

The 2008 Heritage Flight Conference was held at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, from March 6 to March 9. This annual event provides civilian and military demonstration pilots belonging to Air Combat Command the opportunity to train together for the upcoming spring and summer air show season. The Heritage Flight program began in 1997 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the United States Air Force. This program is a very successful way to display the USAF Air power, past and present, to thousands of people attending air shows throughout the United States and Canada. According to Col. Lawson, ACC aerial events coordinator, the climate and training environment at Davis-Monthan AFB make it possible. The base has been hosting the conference since 2001.

The civilian pilots are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and Air Combat Command to fly in formation with ACC demonstration teams. ACC demo teams in 2008 include; F-22 Raptor from Langley AFB, F-15E Strike Eagle from Seymour Johnson AFB, F-15 West from Eglin AFB, F-16 Viper West from Hill AFB, F-16 Viper East from Shaw AFB and A-10 West from Davis-Monthan. QF-4s from Tyndall and Holloman AFB also participate in this program. Warbirds participating in the 2008 conference included one F-86 Sabre, two P-40s Warhawk, one P-47 Thunderbolt, four P-51 Mustang and one EA-1 Skyraider.

The 2008 Heritage Flight Conference was a special event for three pilots who have made history over the past 50 years of aviation. Retired Maj. Gen. William Anders, retired Brig. Gen. Regis Urschier and Charles Hall have been acclaimed for inspiring thousands over the last ten years, by flying historical aircraft in the Heritage Flight program. All three pilots were instrumental in refining the Heritage Flight program and have been active in ensuring the program evolved into the professional and safe program it has become. With an average of 50 years in the skies for each of them, all three pilots had their fini flight in a P-51 Mustang and retired their flight suits during the conference.

The conference consisted of extensive ground training and ended with three days of flight training during which different formations were flown with different types of planes. The last day of the conference was the Media Day and I had the pleasure to attend, thanks to the 355th Wing Public Affairs.

Click here to see modern aircraft at the conference!

(All photos by author.)