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Offutt air show draws large crowd

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstrate their aerial precision as they perform at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show held on July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. It’s been five years since the U.S. Navy Blue Angels have soared over the Offutt runway. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

An F-22 Raptor with the F-22 Demo Team, lands on the Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska runway following its performance at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19. The open house attracted record numbers of people from around the Omaha-metro area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels pass show center in their iconic “diamond formation” while performing at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show held at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska July 19. The Blue Angels last performed at Offutt at the 2009 air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

The U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team prepares to take off from the Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska runway for the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19. The F-22 Demo Team was one of the premier acts for the Defenders of Freedom Air Show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Air show attendees came to Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska in record numbers for 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19. With several exciting acts and static displays, the event was a huge success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

An F-22 Raptor soars through the skies at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show held July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The F-22 Demo Team was one of the premier acts at the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

The U.S. Navy crew chiefs cheer on their U.S. Navy Blue Angels pilots as they launch from the Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska runway at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels performed for two days at Offutt to the delight of nearly two hundred thousand attendees. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

A P-38 Lightning performs side-by-side with an F-22 Raptor for a heritage flight at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The air show hosted 12 performers with the U.S. Air Force F-22 Demo Team and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels being the headliners of the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Seven-year-old Teagan Zeringue, alongside his grandfather Jim Schneider, walk through a high-tech U.S. Air Force Command Center Alpha exhibit while attending the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska July 19. The Command Center Alpha exhibit took people on and interactive tour through three distinct modules. The hand held tablets interacted with the wall around them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Scott Thomas along with his son Evan walk inside the AC-47 Gun Ship while attending the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The AC-47 nicknamed “Spooky” was one of several vintage aircraft on the Offutt ramp. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Seven-year-old Naomi Roth, daughter of U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeremy Roth, 45th Reconnaissance Squadron, peers into the cockpit of a T-6 with U.S. Air Force Capt. Jami Gunnels, T-6 instructor pilot, while attending the 2014 Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Four-year-old James Aldendifer is lifted onto the wing of the P-51 Mustang by his father Mark while attending the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Record crowds gathered at Offutt to attend the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

A P-51 Mustang performs a simulated dogfight with a Japanese Zero during the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show held July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The battle between the two vintage planes is one of several acts performed at the air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

The United States Air Force Honor Guard draws crowds as they begin their exhibition at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 20 at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The Drill Team promotes the Air Force mission by showcasing drill performances at public and military venues to recruit, retain, and inspire Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Six-year-old Alisiana Gomez, daughter of Taylor Gomez, launches herself into the sky with bungee cables and a trampoline while attending the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 20 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Record crowds attended this year’s event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Six-year-old Liam Stieren, from Omaha, climbs to the top of a large inflatable slide at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 20 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. This year the Offutt air show had a larger area dedicated to kids’ activities in conjunction with the open house. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

The United States Air Force Honor Guard promoted the Air Force mission by showcasing drill performances during the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 20 at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The Drill Team support Air Force Recruiting Service as the official Ambassadors in Blue. (U.S. Air Force photo by Josh Plueger/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

The United States Air Force Honor Guard performs on the flightline at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The Drill Team promotes the Air Force mission by showcasing drill performances at public and military venues to recruit, retain and inspire Airmen. They support Air Force Recruiting Service as the official Ambassadors in Blue. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Air show attendees climb the stairs to a KC-10 static display at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Patrons gathered in record numbers to see the events 25 static displays, 12 air show performers, a variety of vendors and a large Kids Zone area for kids to enjoy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Air show attendees enter the back ramp of a C-17 static display at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Patrons got to learn about how the C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Children take a closer look at the inside of a C-17 Globemaster III at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Patrons toured the static displays as U.S. Air Force Airmen introduced them to the qualities of the aircraft and answered their questions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Patrons wait in line as security personnel inspect bags at the entrance to the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Airmen worked as quickly as they could to ensure everyone had a safe enjoyable experience (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Cory Ridenour of Bellevue, Nebraska, performs pull-ups at the U.S. Marine Corps tent at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Members from all branches were on hand to explain what their respective branch has to offer through displays and demonstrations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Air show attendees line up for the many vendors for food and refreshments during the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. During the two-day event, attendees gathered in record numbers to see the many aerial performers and static displays. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Air show attendees admire the aerial demonstrations at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Patrons enjoyed two days of aerial performances from demonstration teams like the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Air show attendees watch Michael Wiskus in the Lucas Oil plane at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Michael Wiskus has accumulated more than 24,000 flight hours and has qualified in more than 40 aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Retired U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant, David Hampton of La Vista, Nebraska takes aim with his camera as one of the air show performers shoots across the sky at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. This year’s event hosted 25 static displays, 12 air show performers, a variety of vendors and a large Kids Zone area for patrons to enjoy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Air show attendees stop and watch Matt Younkin flying his Beech 18 at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The Beech 18 Matt Younkin performs in (serial number 4383) was built in 1943 by the Beechcraft Corporation at Wichita, Kansas. Designated an AT-7C, the airplane was bought new by the U.S. Army Air Corps and spent the duration of World War II as a navigation trainer based at Houston’s Ellington Army Air Field. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Air show patrons sit in the grass and watch as the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs parachute demonstration team comes in for a landing at the 2014 Defenders of Freedom Open House and Air Show July 19 at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The Leap Frogs represent Naval Special Warfare and the U.S. Navy. The members of this team must be military freefall qualified, be serving on at least their second enlistment, have completed at least two operational deployments and be recommended by their chain of command. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jeff W. Gates/Released)

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Offutt air show draws large crowd

Published July 21, 2014