Air Force Week Los Angeles 2008, the weeklong festival kicking off November 14, 2008 running through the 21st, is designed to showcase our United States Air Force and recognize the importance of our service members and the community that supports them. This Air Force event is truly wider than the Los Angeles area as all four southern

California Air Bases are participating in events, demonstrations, flyovers, educational opportunities and unique exhibitions to help get out the message of our Men and Women in Blue. We have the following terrific events planned for the week:

•Beginning on Veteran’s Day, November the 11th an all day open house at the Ronald Reagan Library, in Simi Valley, California, will be highlighted with a showing of the film “Air Force One” next door to the real Air Force One Plane that was used by President Reagan. The United States Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team will perform it’s dazzling display of precision rifle work.

•A three-day Air Force Expo at the Hollywood and Highland Plaza in Hollywood. This starts with a Proclamation by Local Dignitaries, Los Angeles VIPs and select Air Force officials and distinguished guests. We’re targeting a

spectacular display of air power during the proclamation over the plaza courtyard Friday, November 14th at 10:30 a.m. The ceremonies include the Air Force Marching Band and the incredible precision rifle-bearing Honor Guard. The

balconies will be filled with local school children and The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce as well as Generals and Commanders. The Air Force Expo will contain displays of giant aircraft models, military photos and satellite pictures provided by the Defense Visual Information Center. We’re working on scheduling visits by Astronauts and Pilots for autographs, while Air Force Band members and others perform on the main stage. We are providing

interactive displays from the USAF tour van “Do Something Amazing” showing Air Force videos, an F-22A mini jet and a gyro chair. Scheduled are demonstrations such as rifle drills, martial arts, survival tactics and stories by real

Airmen. The Combat Cameramen Association, The Air Force Illustrators Association, The VFW and many other groups with Military ties will display their wonderful work. A huge LED screen will show footage of Air Force videos and

flight films all day long. Our purpose is to educate and inspire the public.

•We expect a flyover of a different set of aircraft every day whose route will be advertised so that all of the southland can experience the awesome power of the Air Force.

•The USC, UCLA, the Lakers game and several other events in the Southland will honor our Veterans by featuring flyovers, swearing in ceremonies, half time entertainment and fan booths in the parking lots.

•There are various mixers and parties planned for the Generals and Commanders who will be in town for the Commanders Conference, the Air and Space Symposium, and the Air Force Association Ball on Friday, Nov 21st at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

•The Airmen Walk of Fame - the mosaic brass stars set into the concrete sidewalks all over Hollywood are called the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Each one contains the name of a composer, director, movie star, TV star, musician, singer,

all the original astronauts, and others who have been made famous by a lifetime of wonderful work. There are over 3,300 existing now. Our Airmen Walk of Fame will show the world the large number of former Airmen who have achieved

fame through their talent, character and work ethic. ROTC cadets will stand at attention directly next to our Air Force stars on the Walk of Fame, emphasizing the message “AIR FORCE ABOVE ALL”.

•One of the biggest events is the Night Of The Stars (Monday, November 17th) at the Griffith Observatory, co-sponsored by the Friends Of The Observatory. Invitees include Generals and Commanders, Los Angeles VIPs, and a

constellation of Hollywood Stars, with hors d’oeuvres provided by Wolfgang Puck. That evening will include honoring our Airmen of Fame. These are the celebrated former Airmen who have excelled in their field of entertainment and

been given their own star on the Walk Of Fame. Living members of this elite group of men include Chuck Norris, Morgan Freeman, Producer Norman Leer and Jack Nicholson, and Larry Hagman. Also, the Air Force will perform a rededication

ceremony showing their commitment to Space through their support of the Griffith Observatory.

•Throughout the week pilots, astronauts, and Airmen specialists will be visiting local schools and talking to children about how the Air Force encourages them to be better people through the core values of selflessness, self – discipline, service to others and respect for family. Demonstrations at the schools will help to interest children in the studies of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

• Wings Over Long Beach - At Long Beach Airport on one runway there will be a static display of a dozen or more Air Force aircraft and aerospace vendors will have additional interesting booths to visit on November 15th and 16th from 9am to 4 pm.

• An Air Force Film Festival. We have eight theaters donated across the southland for a screening for one night each. An Air Force band will entertain as the audience enters. Every Film Fest night will contain the element of telling the

stories of our Air Heroes. An Air Hero will appear with his Commander to tell his story. This will build patriotism and allow our audiences to feel that they have experienced something very special, in addition to viewing a classic film featuring

the Air Force’s character, and sense of family. Films being shown include “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo”, “Apollo 13”, “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country”, “Space Cowboys”, “Air Force One”, “Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag”, and

“Transformers”. A Question & Answer period after the showing will feature special guests such as stars, directors, technical specialists and others whose lives intersect each movie. Of special interest is General Doolittle’s Granddaughter and one of the surviving Doolittle Raiders appearing at the showing of “30 Seconds over Tokyo”.

We hope you will tell your friends and neighbors and bring you family to this once in a lifetime experience Air Force Week Los Angeles 2008. For more information look at the website www.airforceweeklosangeles.com.