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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — An AV-8B Harrier pilot from 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing will carry Medal of Honor recipient and native Kentuckian, Sgt. Dakota Meyer, through the sky above the Thunder Over Louisville air show, April 21, in Louisville, Ky.
Meyer, a native of Columbia, Ky., will ride in a two-seat variant of the Harrier, piloted by Lt. Col. Robert J. Fails, the executive officer for Marine Attack Training Squadron 203, based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C.
Meyer will serve as the master of ceremonies, dubbed the “Thundernator,” for the “Star-Spangled Blast” themed show celebrating 100 years of Marine Corps aviation. The air show is also part of the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies.
“We are extremely honored to have Sgt. Dakota Meyer as the 2012 Thundernator and to take part in the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies,” said Mike Berry, president and CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival, in a release from the festival.
Maj. Gen. Jon M. Davis, the 2nd MAW commanding general, will attend the show to celebrate the Marine Corps Aviation Centennial and watch his Marines perform.
Davis commands one of the three active-duty aircraft wings for the Marine Corps and recently welcomed home Marines and sailors deployed to Afghanistan with 2nd MAW (Fwd).
Also performing at the event is Capt. Howard L. Longwell, the quality assurance officer for Marine Attack Squadron 542, who will provide a Level III Harrier demonstration.
The Level III Harrier demonstration is one of the most sought-after aerial demonstrations offered by the U.S. military. Demonstrations are performed by the same aircraft and Marines who train and deploy in support of real-world contingencies, including on-going operations in Afghanistan.
| Date Taken: | 04.10.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2012 13:52 |
| Story ID: | 86572 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Hometown: | LOUISVILLE, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 210 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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