2012 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show

The AV-8B Harrier hovers at center stage for the 2012 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Aug. 26. Tens of thousands of people from all over the region gathered for the annual air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

2012 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show

The U.S. Army Golden Knights gracefully glide to the ground at during the 2012 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show on Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Aug. 26. The Golden Knights are the U.S. Army’s premiere parachute team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

2012 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show

With his Air National Guard MXS all carbon-fiber aircraft, pilot John Klatt (Lt. Col. Retired) screams by show center while performing in the 2012 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show hosted annually by Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Aug. 26. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

2012 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show

Scouts with Troop 6 of Overland Park, Kan., talk with the pilot of the AV-8B Harrier while attending the 2012 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show held at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Aug. 26. Tens of thousands of people from all over the region gathered for the annual air show. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

2012 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show

An A-10 Thunderbolt II flies past show center as part of the practice Air Show hosted by Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Aug. 24. The day before the scheduled air show gives children with special needs, Make-A-Wish participants and Wounded Warriors the VIP treatment with their own personal performance and meetings with pilots and commanders. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

2012 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show

A heritage flight that included two F-86 Sabres flanking an A-10 Thunderbolt II demonstrated the proud heritage of military aviation over the past 60 years at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Aug. 24. The 2012 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show included this and many other aerial demonstrations as well as ground shows and static aircraft displays. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Josh Plueger/Released)