Honolulu selected to host Air Force Week in 2007

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Tom Czerwinski
  • PACAF Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  In an announcement made Dec 5., Honolulu has been selected as one of six cities nation-wide and the only city outside the continental United States to host Air Force Week in 2007.

Air Force Week Honolulu will be held seaside in Waikiki, Sept. 12 -15, 2007. Highlighting the week-long event will be a performance by the Air Force's premier aerial demonstration team, 'The Thunderbirds,' over the Waikiki waterfront Sept. 15, with opportunities to view them practicing earlier in the week.

The Air Force has chose to celebrate its 60th anniversary with a new initiative called "Air Force Week," which was designed to speak to the American public to honor and celebrate the Air Force's 60th anniversary.

"Our objective is to create a better awareness for the Air Force to our civilian counterparts and increase the support we have with our community in regards to our programs and policies," said Col. Rojo Herrea, director AFWH. "Also we believe recruiting efforts will be enhanced by getting out the real story about the Air Force."

By combining the Thunderbirds aerial show, unique ground displays, public speaking engagements by senior Air Force leaders, and appearances by Tops in Blue (the Air Force's premier traveling band) and the Air Force band of the Pacific; these events enforce the declaration of the "Year of the Air Force" by Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, which began in September 2006.

"We are hugely proud and excited that Honolulu has been chosen to host Air Force week as we enter the year of celebration of the Air Force's 60th anniversary," said Gen. Paul V. Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander. "Honolulu is the centerpiece of what we call the Air Force headquarters of the Pacific and the governor's and mayor's office in Honolulu are absolutely excited about Air Force Week Honolulu -- they have their arms wide open."

Other planned events are a series of 'Sunset on the Beach' events featuring Air Force movies.

"The key to this being a successful event is going to be the support we get from the community. We want to get local community leaders and retired military and college and high school Reserve Officers Training Corps units involved," said Colonel Herrea.

The last time the Thunderbirds performed here was in 2003 and in 1997 before that so visits are infrequent and highly visible and exciting when they occur, General Hester said.

"Along with the scheduled events, the Air Force Ball and the celebration of Air Force's 60th anniversary, all the buzz in Waikiki during the week will make for a world class event not to be missed," General Hester said.