The Air Force Thunderbirds are lined up and ready to go, July 23, during the 2011 Dayton Airshow at Dayton International Airport, Ohio. The Thunderbirds are the air demonstration squadron of the U.S. Air Force, and based at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada. The squadron tours the world, performing thrilling aerobatic flight formations in specially marked F-16 jet aircraft. (USAF photo by Ben Strasser)
A U.S. Army Golden Knight Parachute Team member makes a smoke trailed entrance into the Dayton Air Show. (USAF photo by Ben Strasser)
A10 Thunderbolts, nicknamed "Warthogs" for their good looks, makes a hard turn for the crowd. Also known as Tankbusters, this ground attack aircraft has powerful combat weapons that begin with a 30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute. (USAF photo by Ben Strasser)
NASA's "Super Guppy" was the biggest aircraft at the Dayton Air Show this year. Guppy aircraft were used in several past space programs, including Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab, to transport spacecraft components. (USAF photo by Ben Strasser)
United States Air Force Thunderbird ground crew prepares F-16a aircraft for flight. The distinctive red, white, and blue paint scheme of the Thunderbirds was first displayed in June of 1982. (USAF photo by Michelle Gigante)
The B-25 "Panchito" was a crowd pleaser during the Dayton Air Show. On 18 April 1942, sixteen B-25B Mitchell bombers were launched from the U.S.N. aircraft carrier Hornet 600 miles off the coast of Japan for a daring bombing strike led by the legendary General Jimmy Dolittle. (USAF photo by Michelle Gigante)
For this young spectator, an adult's shoulders provided the best seat to view all the action at the 2011 Dayton Air Show. (USAF photo by Ben Strasser)
The B1b Lancer is the fastest bomber in United States Air Force fleet. It's four 30,000 lb afterburning turbofans can power the massive swing wing aircraft to mach 1.2 sea level. The B1b first flight took place in 1984 and the Lancer entered USAF inventory in 1986. (USAF photo by Ben Strasser)
The Oracle stunt plane, piloted by Sean D. Tucker, thrilled the crowd with its daredevil routine. Tucker was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008. (USAF photo by Ben Strasser)
Much skill and nerve is required for USAF Thunderbird pilots to fly in such tight formation. Since their inception in May of 1953, the Thunderbirds have kept audiences entertained and amazed. (USAF photo by Ben Strasser)