SrA Tim Chacon The Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performs Nov. 14 at Hollywood and Highland in Los Angeles for the opening ceremonies for Air Force Week – Los Angeles. The drill team performance was one of many attractions at the event. Others included flyovers by several different Air Force aircraft, interactive expos and performances by the Air Force band. Air Force Week – Los Angeles was held Nov. 14 to 21.

The week-long extravaganza showcased the Air Force, its people and the mission throughout the region.

All events, except for sports venues where the Air Force was honored and band performances at area theme parks, were free and open to the public.

Air Force senior leaders had a vision to become more proactive in the way the Air Force communicates its story. That led to the idea of hosting Air Force Weeks, which are designed to build new relationships in metropolitan areas, expose Americans to the incredible power of the Air Force, and strengthen support for Airmen serving worldwide in defense of freedom. St. Louis hosted the inaugural event in 2006. In addition to Los Angeles, Air Force Weeks in 2008 were held in Philadelphia and Omaha, Neb. Each year, Air Force officials consider new locations across the country to expand the reach of this program and build new and lasting relationships in each metropolitan area.

“California is instrumental to air and space enterprises as indicated by an air and space economic impact in excess of $125 billion,“ said Gen. C. Robert “Bob“ Kehler, the commander of 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, 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.“

“It's an honor for us to host such an important event and I am excited to showcase our global Air Force missions to all of Southern California,“ said Lt. Gen. John T. “Tom“ Sheridan, the Space and Missile Systems Center commander.

Air Force Week kicked off with a proclamation ceremony Nov. 14 at Hollywood and Highland Center, located in the heart of Hollywood. The Air Force Honor Guard, Air Force Band of the Golden West and an aerial review were featured.

Hollywood and Highland was also the location for the three-day Air Force Expo Nov. 14-16. Visitors were able to fly in an F-22 Raptor flight simulator and spin in a gyro chair. Mini-jets, jet engines, models and photos were on display. A number of demonstrations, including performances by the Air Force Honor Guard drill team, were planned. The Air National Guard had bands performing throughout the weekend at the expo. Visitors met Air Force heroes and astronauts. In addition to the expo in Hollywood, a one-day expo was held Nov. 15 at Riverside Plaza in Riverside.

Military aircraft were displayed at “Wings Over Long Beach“ at the Long Beach Airport Nov. 15 and 16. Aircraft on display included the C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, C-130 Hercules, B-52 Stratofortress, F-16 Fighting Falcon and an MQ-1 Predator. The Band of the Golden West's Rhythm N' Brass and the Air Force Honor Guard drill team performed throughout the day.

Air Force-themed film festivals began with a showing of “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country“ at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood. Other films scheduled included “Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag“ at the Regal Cinemas Canyon County 10 Nov. 16, “Apollo 13“ at Pasadena's Art Center College of Design Nov. 16 and “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo“ at the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences Nov. 16. A question-and-answer period with directors, technical specialists and others who worked on or were associated with that film followed each showing. Special guests scheduled to appear at “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo“ were General Doolittle's granddaughter and two surviving Doolittle Raiders; at “Fighter Pilot,“ a pilot answered questions; and at “Star Trek VI,“ the movie's director, Nicholas Meyer.

For more information about Air Force Week in Los Angeles, visit www.airforceweek.com or call 866-751-USAF (8723).