'Salute To Veterans' Celebrates 29th Anniversary

In what promises to be one of the most packed show line-ups yet, the Memorial Day weekend airshow this year presented by the "Salute to Veterans Memorial Day Corporation" will feature an array of planes flying, on display, and open for tours.

Salute to Vets

The planes this year will span from the historical WWI Curtiss Jenny biplane to the modern screaming jets that will have you covering your ears.

The 2017 theme “Honoring Veterans of Every Era, Every Branch, Every Day!” reflects the mission of the organization and what it has represented since its inception in 1989. The airshow’s purpose is to serve as an opportunity to honor and remember those who have served or are currently serving in our military, and our allies.

Some of the headliners this year will include two military jet teams – the United States Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Tactical Demonstration Team and the Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188 Hornet Tactical Demonstration Team – as well as two military parachute jump teams.

The Skyhawks from the Canadian Armed Forces will be joining us again for the second year in a row, and we will be welcoming back the United States Army Special Operations Command Black Daggers parachute team for the first time since 2006.

The spectacular WWII de Havilland Vampire will also be performing at the show this year along with the thrilling Lockheed T-33 ‘Shooting Star’ jet performance.

A newcomer to the show is the 1948 AD-1 Skyraider. It played an integral part in the Vietnam War, marveled for its long fly-time and weapons load, and continued to be used as an attack plane during the Korean War, holding its own during the age of jet planes.

Many other planes, helicopters, and military assets will be on static display, open for tours, or flying at the two-day show this year, May 27 - 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Columbia Regional Airport. Admission and parking are free, and open to all. Due to construction at the airport this year, parking will be limited, so guests are encouraged to use the shuttle buses provided at the MU Trowbridge parking lot in Columbia, or at the Jefferson City Airport.

To close airshow weekend, the organization hosts an annual parade in downtown Columbia on Memorial Day at 10 a.m. The parade ends with a jump into the Columbia College Athletic Field by the parachute teams, which also serves as a kick-off to a speech from one of the 2017 military honored guests.

For more information and the latest updates, please visit salute.org.