Press Release

With U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Unable To Attend Jones Beach Memorial Weekend Air Show, Gillibrand Asks Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps To Send Additional Aerial Demonstration Teams

Feb 11, 2011

Washington, D.C. – With the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds unable to attend this year’s Memorial Day weekend air show at Jones Beach, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today urged the U.S. Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps to send additional demonstration teams to ensure the event remains top-notch.

The Jones Beach Memorial Day weekend event, known as the Bethpage Federal Credit Union Air Show, attracts upwards of 400,000 people each year and features some of America’s Armed Force’s most talented aerial demonstration teams.

“Memorial Day weekend is a time for families and friends to come together to honor our armed forces and brave servicemembers,” Senator Gillibrand said. “While the Thunderbird’s absence will surely be felt, I know that other skilled demonstration teams can meet the event’s expectations and I urge them to do so.”

Senator Gillibrand made the formal request in letters to the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps to send an F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team, a B-1, B-2, B-52 flyover, along with an MV-22, AV-8B or F/A-18 Super Hornet demonstration for the event.