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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- For the first time in four years, the 20th Fighter Wing is scheduled to host the 2016 Shaw Air Expo and open house, "Thunder Over the Midlands", May 21-22, strengthening community relationships, building partnerships and educating the public on military hardware and tactics.

The air expo will show off the power of the U.S. Armed Forces with the Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force precision-flying demonstration team, and the Black Daggers, the official U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team.

"U.S. Air Force open houses and air shows are important because they promote positive community and international relations while enhancing public awareness of the Air Force mission," said Lt. Col. Kristofer Padilla, 20th Fighter Wing chief of safety and Shaw Air Expo director. "Furthermore, U.S. Air Force open houses showcase our Airmen and their combat readiness, in addition to demonstrating modern and heritage weapon systems while advancing Air Force recruiting and retention efforts."

Rob Sexton, 20th FW Public Affairs community relations manager, considers the first-hand experience for the community members to be valuable.

"The point of inviting our neighbors on base is to give them an opportunity to see up close what they can't see from outside the fence," said Sexton.

Sexton also said the air expo is a good opportunity for those in Sumter, South Carolina to interact with members of Team Shaw and learn about the U.S. Air Force. He said some have walked away so affected by the experience, they decided to join the Air Force family themselves.

"You get the little boy or little girl who comes out here with their parent and they get to touch the airplanes for the first time, and be affected by the roars of the jet engines, watch the aerobatics, be stunned by the aerobatics, and they go away saying 'Yes! That's the life for me,'" Sexton said.

"Many thousands of people who come on base that weekend will go away from here knowing more than they knew before, and maybe for the first time finding out that we are really complex and that the 8,300 or so members of Team Shaw have incredible jobs to do." said Sexton.

For information and future details, visit www.shaw.af.mil/airexpo and official 20th FW social media sites:

www.facebook.com/20FighterWing

www.twitter.com/20FighterWing

www.instagram.com/Shaw_AFB

Team Shaw to host air expo

By 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs