By Meagan McGone
mmcgone@hometownnewsol.com
COCOA BEACH - Spectators on the Space Coast should keep watchful eyes on the sky this weekend for the 2012 Cocoa Beach Air Show.
This year, for the first time since the event began four years ago, every branch of the active duty military will be represented at the Cocoa Beach Air Show.
The U.S. Coast Guard will perform a search-and-rescue demonstration; the U.S. Air Force will showcase various fighter aircraft and will feature its 920th Search and Rescue Wing; the U.S. Marine Corp. will provide a demonstration of its V-22 Osprey; the U.S. Navy Tactical Demonstration Team will demonstrate the capabilities of Naval aviation and its aircraft; and the U.S. Army's Silver Wings will perform live aerial demonstrations.
Performances from civilian aircraft will include the Black Diamond Jet Team, a seven-ship aerobatic civilian-owned jet team; the Red Bull Helicopter, which will demonstrate helicopter aerobatics; demonstrations from the Red Bull Air Force; and aerobatics performances from Freddy Cabanas and John Black, as well as award-winning air show pilot Mike Goulian.
"From the mid-air flips of the Air Force F-22 Raptor to the helo-style hover of the Marine Corps V-22 Osprey to the aerobatic spectacle of the Red Bull Helicopter, you'll see extreme in every segment of military and civilian aviation," said the Cocoa Beach Air Show's media contact, Cathy Bassett, in a press release.
The air show kicks off with a welcome party on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. at Slow & Low BBQ in Cocoa Beach.
On Friday, Sept. 21, an Air Show preview will begin at 11 a.m. The wing-suited Red Bull Air Force, known for its stunt-jump through the high-rises of Chicago in the movie Transformers 3, will be jumping into an Air Show Take Off Party Friday night at Coconuts on the Beach.
The show itself will be Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22 and 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the beach at Show Center, which is Lori Wilson Park on North Atlantic Avenue.
Spectators can watch the Cocoa Beach Air Show for free on the beach. Premium viewing tickets are still available, and include reserved parking.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.cocoabeachairshow.com or call (800) 514-3849.