Poplar Bluff Air Show May 11 to offer diversity

By Teresa Oyler

Daily American Republic

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The annual Poplar Bluff Air Show on May 11 will offer diverse events, beginning with a pancake breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the airport field. The show will follow from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The rain date is May 12.

"I think the thing that excites me the most about the air show is the diversity of acts and displays we're able to attain for this area and the growth we've seen," said Don Schrieber, air show co-chairman.

There will be new acts, including a flyover by Air Force bombers known as the B1-B or Lancer. It's based at Dyess Air Force base in Abilene, Texas, and is nearly half as long as a football field and when fully loaded with weapons and fuel tops out at more than 450,000 pounds.

Phillip Dixon, an air show committee member in charge of the military acts, said the Lancer is a "swing-wing" bomber which allows the wings to be moved in flight from an extended position to a more streamlined point along the fuselage to attain speeds in excess of the speed of sound. It has a crew of four and is capable of in-flight re-fueling so it can strike anywhere in the world.

Dixon said several groups were invited but several were forced to decline due to the exceptional load placed on all units in this time of war on terrorism.

Two other groups have made a commitment given that at the time of the event there is no higher mission requirement.

Dixon said one is a parachute demonstration team from the Seventh Special Forces Group at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Another is the U.S. Army Special Forces jump team being