The C-17 Globemaster III is the most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area.

The KC-135 Stratotanker provides the core aerial refueling capability for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 60 years. It provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft.

The 104th Fighter Squadron (104th FS), nicknamed the Fightin' O's, is a unit of the Maryland Air National Guard 175th Wing stationed at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Maryland. The 104th is equipped with the Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II.

A Coast Guard search and rescue demonstration is provided by a MH-65D Dolphin helicopter and qualified aircrew. The aircrew consists of two pilots, one flight mechanic and a rescue swimmer. Depending on the nature of distress, the rescue swimmer deploys via freefall or hoist to provide assistance. These dedicated professionals assume the watch 24 hours a day 365 days a year standing true to the Coast Guard’s motto “Semper Paratus,” which means “Always Ready.”

The Osprey is an American multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.

Bill Stein has logged over 7,000 hours of aerobatic and formation flight. As a student pilot, he began flying aerobatics and has been dedicated to perfecting his skills ever since. Since 1995, Bill has performed at air shows across the United States and has entertained millions air show fans, now with his own designed aircraft, the Edge 540, which uses a paint that continuously changes color based on the constantly varying angles between the spectators, airplane, and the lighting.

Kevin Coleman has had a passion to be a pilot his whole life. At age 10, he began training with legendary barnstormer Marion Cole. At 16, he completed his first solo flight before he even had a drivers licence. Before long, he was fine-tuning his craft under the mentorship of Kirby Chambliss, ultimately joining his Red Bull Air Race team in 2016 as one of the youngest faces in the sport. Now, he wows crowds around the world with his incredible acrobatic flying with the Red Bull Air Force.

Col Ed Hamill, USAF retired, performs on the airshow circuit flying the Folds of Honor Biplane. Ed is a veteran airshow pilot, performing his first show in 1999. While completing his 30-year career flying F-16s in the Air Force, Ed has performed in his biplane for over 42 million at airshows across North America. Hamill now partners with Folds of Honor Foundation which provides scholarships to the families of fallen and disabled military and first responders -- Honor their sacrifice. Educate their legacy. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has given out 51,000 scholarships worth nearly $240 million.

Mini Jet Airshows is a lifelong dream of the pilot Tom "Lark" Larkin. Having watched the BD-5J perform as a child at a local airshow, and then later becoming a fighter pilot, airline pilot, and aerobatic pilot; it was always his dream to do airshows in a "mini" jet.

Pilot Bob Richards flew a stock 180 hp Pitts S1S in airshows for 10 seasons, accumulating thousands of hours in that aircraft, before purchasing and performing in his custom-built single-place Pitts with more power, different wings and a three-bladed propeller. Bob's desire for more power was realized when he acquired 'Machaira', a custom-built aircraft, producing 325 hp, previously owned by expert designer, builder and airshow performer Doug Dodge.

Bob Looks forward to dazzling airshow attendees with 'Machaira' - 'Machaira, named for the Greek word meaning two-edged sword.

Susan Dacy is one of only a few females performing airshows in a biplane and is the only woman flying exhibition in the Super Stearman. As an avid fan of airshows and aviation her whole life, Susan earned a degree in Aviation Operations and Systems from Southern Illinois University. Susan is now a retired International 787 Dreamliner Captain and has logged over 39,000 hours. Flying Big Red, a World War II trainer for young naval aviators, Susan takes audience members back in time to the barnstorming era of flying.

Warbird Thunder flies the SNJ aircraft manufactured by North American Aviation. The SNJ is a historically significant aircraft that was utilized as an advanced trainer by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corp to train “The Greatest Generation” for WWII and Korean Conflict. Nearly every pilot in World War II and Korea trained in a variant of this aircraft.

The Marine & Helicopter Unit of the Department is home to a group of highly motivated and technically trained personnel. The unit utilizes many types of specialized equipment to complete their required tasks. The Unit is broken into two (2) distinct operations: Marine Operations and Helicopter Operations.

The Air Sea Rescue Unit was established in 1965, where they provide search and rescue services for 37 miles of lakefront, an extensive river system, numerous lakefront venues, and the largest harbor system in the U.S. Chicago’s busy lakefront offers the Air Sea Rescue Unit unique emergency challenges including, assistance to boats in distress, water rescues and air search missions. Divers assigned to the Air Sea Rescue Unit are trained under public safety rescue diver guidelines specific to Chicago’s needs and particular environment.

A mechanical system used to rapidly decelerate an aircraft as it lands. Arresting gear on aircraft carriers is an essential component of naval aviation, and it is most commonly used on CATOBAR and STOBAR aircraft carriers. Similar systems are also found at land-based airfields for expeditionary or emergency use. 

Marine Corps Air Station New River provides aviation support, force protection, infrastructure, and community services to promote the readiness, sustainment and quality of life for II MEF and other military forces, tenant commands, personnel and their families.

The 122nd Fighter Wing is a unit of the Indiana Air National Guard, stationed at Fort Wayne Air National Guard Station, Fort Wayne, Indiana. If activated to federal service, the wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Combat Command.

The 182d Airlift Wing (182 AW) is a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard, stationed at Peoria Air National Guard Base, Peoria, Illinois. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.

The 434th Air Refueling Wing is one of the key aerial refueling units in the Air Force Reserve Command. From its home at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., the wing and its people travel around the world in support of various Air Force operations and contingencies. The wing is equipped with KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft.

Marine Wing Support Squadron 272 (MWSS 272) is an aviation ground support unit of the United States Marine Corps. They are based out of Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina. The squadron, nicknamed "The Untouchables," falls under the command of Marine Wing Support Group 27 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

The mission of the MACG (Marine Air Control Group 28) is to provide, operate, and maintain the MACCS (Marine Air Command and Control System). The MACG contains subordinate units that provide the major facilities of the MACCS. It normally consists of a Marine tactical air command squadron (MTACS), a Marine air support squadron (MASS), one Marine air control squadron (MACS), a low-altitude air defense (LAAD) battalion, and a Marine wing communication squadron (MWCS).