Air Force Week Opening Ceremony Offers Spectacular Military Aircraft Flyovers, Interactive Expos, Futuristic Air & Space Demos, Stirring Concerts, Legendary Film Festivals, Stars, Air Force General Officer Interviews and More

Media Invited Friday, Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m. to Hollywood & Highland to Experience Spectacular Sights, Sounds of Air Force Week for the First Time in the Middle of LA

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Reporters are invited to Hollywood & Highland Center Nov. 14 at 10:30 a.m. to cover the sights and sounds of the opening ceremony that kicks off Los Angeles' first Air Force Week, full of spectacular events throughout Southern California showcasing the U.S. Air Force's impressive capabilities and recognizing the communities that support the Air Force and its worldwide mission.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081111/MXTU003LOGO)

DAZZLING MILITARY AIRCRAFT FLYOVERS: Media will see and hear Hollywood's first spectacular, breathtaking flyover of aircraft like U-2 Dragon Lady surveillance plane made historic when its pilot, Francis Gary Powers, survived being shot down while over the Soviet Union in 1960 and eventually came to Los Angeles as a TV news helicopter pilot; and also a single engine, multi-role F-16 Fighting Falcon, equally capable of handling combat against enemy aircraft and striking enemy targets with devastating accuracy. Other flyovers are the B-1 Lancer supersonic bomber, the only variable-sweep wing aircraft in the U.S. military inventory, and the F-22 Raptor, the Air Force's incredible stealth fighter unmatched by any known or projected fighter aircraft. Other aircraft participating in the flyover are the world's most versatile airlift aircraft, the C-17 Globemaster III, with a maximum payload of 170,900 pounds. The C-17 airlifts injured personnel, provides humanitarian assistance around the world in the aftermath of natural disasters and even brought Keiko the killer whale, star of "Free Willy," back to his home in Iceland. Additionally, you will see the legendary B-52 Stratofortress, which has the longest unrefueled range of any contemporary bomber.

SPECIAL GUESTS AND HONOREES: General C. Robert Kehler, commander of Air Force Space Command who leads 40,000 space professionals providing combat forces and capabilities; special guest, actor Ricky Schroeder; Airmen representing a wide cross-section of today's Air Force; plus special tribute to 44 former airmen with their own stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (including the late Jimmy Stewart, Charlton Heston and Walter Matthau and modern day stars like Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman and Norman Lear). The Air Force will be presented its own honorary replica of the Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

INTERACTIVE AIR FORCE EXPOSITION WITH NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN EXHIBITS AND DEMONSTRATIONS: From Friday to Sunday, Nov. 14-16, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Hollywood & Highland Center, U.S. Air Force Exposition features the interactive F-22 Raptor flight simulator, an exact replica of the F-22 Raptor's cockpit, and allows participants to jump right in and see what it's like to fly an F-22. Other Expo highlights include a 30-foot missile on display; the Air Force NASCAR; air, space and cyberspace technology; gigantic aircraft models; satellite photos; pararescue, rifle drill team and martial arts demonstrations; famous costumes from Hollywood Air Force films; Air Force rock, jazz and Dixieland bands; and much more.

FREE FILM FESTIVALS: Free viewings of legendary movies include discussions with Air Force heroes, actors, directors and technical staff from the movies. Films include "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," Nov. 14 at Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Goldenson Theater, North Hollywood, with director Nicholas Meyer and Michael Dorn, USS Enterprise's Klingon officer, Lt. Worf, on "Star Trek: The Next Generation;" "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag," Nov. 16 at Regal Entertainment Canyon Country Theater, Santa Clarita, with a fighter pilot; "Apollo 13," Nov. 16 at Art Center College of Design Ahmanson Auditorium, Pasadena, with an astronaut and Lunar Rover display; and "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo," Nov. 18 at Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood, honoring World War II surviving Doolittle Raiders and General Doolittle's granddaughter Joann Doolittle. Film festivals are free, but online reservations are required at www.airforceweek.com.

MORE EVENTS, CONCERT: Air Force Week activities also include Wings Over Long Beach, Nov. 15-16, at Long Beach Airport from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with aircraft displays and exhibitions (free parking, $5 admission). Air Force Band of the Golden West will also give a free concert at the historic Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro Nov. 16 at 3 p.m.

"California is instrumental to air and space enterprises as indicated by an air and space economic impact in excess of $125 billion," says General C. Robert Kehler, commander, Air Force Space Command. "California has a long legacy of air and space 'firsts' including Capt. 'Chuck' Yeager breaking the sound barrier in 1947 and building the first U.S. space station, Skylab I, and the first geosynchronous communication and meteorological satellites. California continues to lead the nation in technology and is a world leader in the development of future air and space capabilities. The Air Force has reaped tremendous benefits from California's air and space innovations, which help us daily to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace."

Southern California Air Force bases (AFB) participating in Air Force Week include Los Angeles AFB, Vandenberg AFB, Edwards AFB, March Air Reserve Base and Channel Islands Air National Guard Station.

For Air Force Week details or online film festival reservations, visit www.airforceweek.com.