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Shaw pilot flies over Indy 500

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Ann Blodzinski
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  A pilot from the 20th Fighter Wing took part in a flyover during the opening ceremony of the Indianapolis 500, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

"We (did) the national anthem flyover to an estimated audience of more than 350,000 people and a worldwide television audience," said Maj. Brian Congdon, 20th Fighter Wing F-16 demonstration pilot.

Martina McBride sang the national anthem live from the stadium during the flyover.

Congdon, flying an F-16, joined an A-10 from Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. and two P-51 aircraft from the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation to perform the four-ship demonstration.
 
The AFHFF honors the legacy of U.S. air power and supports the United States Air Force's recruiting efforts by flying today's state-of-the-art fighter aircraft in close formation with vintage fighter planes. AFHFF performances involve current USAF fighter aircraft piloted by Air Combat Command-trained military pilots. Those aircraft fly in formation with historical warbirds piloted by trained and certified civilian pilots

Salutes to the military occupied many special moments during the pomp and pageantry of pre-race ceremonies on race day. Military members marched in uniform down the front straightaway, taps was played, and a military rifle team fired a volley to honor America's fallen heroes.

More information on heritage flights is at www.AirForceHeritageFlight.org and more information on the race is at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.