Purdue Homecoming to feature pregame Air Force flyover

October 19, 2011
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Fans heading to Saturday's (Oct. 22) Purdue University football game against visiting Illinois will want to be in their seats early and keep their heads up.

Pregame activities leading up to the noon kickoff at Ross-Ade Stadium will include a flyover of two A-10C Warthogs from the 163rd Fighter Squadron, Indiana Air National Guard, out of Fort Wayne. The flyover will take place following the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band's playing of the national anthem. The flyover, made possible by Purdue's Air Force ROTC detachment, features the U.S. Air Force's finest attack aircraft.

The A-10 Thunderbolt (Warthog), with a wingspan of just over 57 feet, took its maiden flight in 1972. The A-10 is primarily used as ground-attack aircraft capable of firing 4,200 rounds per minute. The aircraft has been used extensively in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

Two Purdue graduates will be among the pilots and ground crew members.
     
Contacts:  Maj. Mike Miller, Operations Officer, Purdue Air Force ROTC Detachment 22, 765-494-2047, mill1001@purdue.edu
                   Tom Schott, associate athletic director for communications, 765-494-3145, tschott@purdue.edu