The U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team performs during Gunfighter Skies 2011 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 17. Thousands came from Idaho and surrounding states to see more than 10 acts perform. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gina Chiaverotti-Paige/Released)

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Crowds gather around one of the many historic static displays presented during Gunfighter Skies 2011 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 18. The B-17 named, Sentimental Journey, offered tours to anyone interested in seeing the inside of the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Angelina Drake/Released)

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An 82nd Airborne member flies the prisoner of war flag to begin Gunfighter Skies 2011 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept 17. The 82nd Airborne Division strategically deploys and conducts forcible entry parachute assaults to secure key objectives for military operations in support of U.S. interests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Hayward/Released)

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Members of the crowd view aerial demonstrations at Gunfighter Skies 2011 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 17. The two-day event showcased both military and civilian aerobatic acts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gina Chiaverotti-Paige/Released)

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Pyrotechnics explode as part of one of the numerous aerial demonstrations preformed during Gunfighter Skies 2011 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 18. More than 50,000 people attended in order to catch a glimpse of the Air Force’s airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Angelina Drake/Released)

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Bill Braack, driver of the Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Shows car, deploys the parachute to bring the car to a stop, experiencing 11 Gs of negative force at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 17. The jet car reached speeds of about 380 mph in nine seconds. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Hayward/Released)

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A member of the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team performs preflight checks prior to their practice performance at Mountian Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 16. The Thunderbirds performed during Gunfighter Skies 2011, which was a two day open house for the public. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gina Chiaverotti-Paige/Released)

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The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds mingled with the crowd to sign autographs and encourage Air Force recruits during Gunfighter Skies 2011 here Sept. 18. The Thunderbirds educated the attendees of the open house of the mythology that inspired the Thunderbird, which is painted on the bottom of each of their aircrafts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Angelina Drake/Released)

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Dan Buchanan hang glides during Gunfighter Skies 2011 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 17. Buchanan's legs were paralyzed in 1981 while landing in stormy weather, yet he returned to flying six months later. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Hayward/Released)

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A MiG-17 from the MiG Fury Fighters performs aerial acrobatics during Gunfighter Skies 2011 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 17. More than 50,000 attendees came to the open house to support the base and U.S. military members. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gina Chiaverotti-Paige/Released)

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Team one of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performs preflight checks prior to their takeoff at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 18. The Thunderbirds performed during Gunfighter Skies 2011, which was a two day open house for the public. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Angelina Drake/Released)

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An aircraft flies overhead during an aerial demonstration for Gunfighter Skies 2011 at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Sept. 18. The aircraft was flown in honor of Greg Poe, who owned the aircraft and died suddenly after an apparent heart attack July 24, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Heather Hayward/Released)

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Photos: Gunfighter Skies 2011

Published Sept. 21, 2011