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Arts & Entertainment

2011 Bethpage Air Show

Bethpage Federal Credit Union, Long Island’s leading community financial institution, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, are pleased to honor the United States Navy and its historical 100th anniversary celebration - the Centennial of Naval Aviation - during this year’s Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, now in its 8th year.

Fans will be treated to performances from the world’s most elite military and civilian pilots including the T-6 and T-34 U.S. Navy Aircrafts which will travel to Long Island to represent the United States Navy and its 100 years of protecting American soil.  There will also be a special, rare performance from the U.S. Air Force F22 Raptor Stealth Jet Fighter, known by far as the best and most expensive fighter jet in the world, with its advanced combination of stealth, speed, agility and unparalleled precision.

The Air Show is free to the public, but the standard $10.00 vehicle use fee will be collected each day upon entry to the State Park.

“Bethpage is honored to play a significant role in helping bring this world class event to the Long Island community,” said Kirk Kordeleski, President & CEO, Bethpage Federal Credit Union.   “For eight years now, we have tremendously enjoyed working hand in hand with the New York State Parks Department and are looking forward to this year’s Centennial celebration, a true milestone for our country and the many men and women serving in our nation’s military.”

The 2011 lineup includes: Military Performers: U.S. Airforce F22 Raptor, U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, United States Navy T-34 Turbomentor and T-6 Turboprop Trainer, A-10 East Demo Team, 106th New York Air National Guard Air Flight Rescue Demo HC-130/HH-60, World War II B17 Flying Fortress, World War II B25 Mitchell Bomber, World War II B29 Superfortress.  Civilian Performers: Sean D. Tucker – Team Oracle, John Klatt – National Guard Reserve, World Renowned Sports Aviator Mike Goulian, GEICO Skytypers, David Windmiller, and the American Air Power Museum Warbirds.

This year’s show will feature three world-renowned aerobatic pilots including Sean Tucker who was named a “Smithsonian Living Legend” and has been inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.  Lt. Colonel John Klatt, an active member of the Air National Guard, who has flown three combat deployments in the Middle East, will take fans through an amazing sequence of jaw-dropping aerial maneuvers.  Michael Goulian, a world-renowned sports aviator, will be making his Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach debut.  Goulian, who took the U.S. National Advanced Champions Title at the young age of 22, and Unlimited National Aerobatic Championship in 1995, has an edgy and aggressive flying style that has brought amazement to fans across the globe.

Linda Armyn, Senior Vice President, Bethpage Federal Credit Union said, “Our sincere thanks go out to the many Long Island organizations including the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the American Airpower Museum, the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Newsday, the Long Island Radio Group, and ABC 7, who yearly come together to help stage the air show for the hundreds of thousands of loyal fans.”

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