One of the highlights not to be missed by spectators at next week'��s Slidell Air Show will be the aerial display put on by the Air Combat Command Viper F-16 East Demonstration Team.

The team of highly skilled fighter pilots will swoop down on the Slidell Municipal Airport around 3:30 p.m. April 5.

According to U.S. Air Force Demo Team Marketing Officer Lt. Col. Bill Edwards, the team, led by Capt. George '��Dog'�� Clifford, will perform precision aerial maneuvers, and demonstrate the unique capabilities of the F-16 fighter jet.

A Viper East F-16 demonstration jet like this one will be flying at the Slidell Air Show next week. (U.S. Air Force Photo byTech. Sgt. Daryl Page)

The F-16 demonstration team is based at the Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina and is part of the 20th Fighter Wing. The team travels all over the country putting on demonstrations for air shows.

Edwards said the F-16 are in operation in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Also appearing at the Slidell Air Show this year will be the U.S. Army'��s Golden Knight Parachute Team and the Black Daggers Parachute Team made up of members of several branches of the military. The National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard will also demonstrate their aircraft as well as allow residents to inspect them on the ground. There will also be private aerial stunt teams plus fly-bys of other military jet fighters.

This year'��s air extravaganza is dedicated to the soldiers and pilots who were in Desert Storm.

Gates open at 10 a.m. for the show, with opening ceremonies at 1 p.m. The show ends at 8 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, and $3 for children 6 and older. There will be free parking at the Northshore Square Mall with free shuttle service to the airport. For more information on the Slidell Air show, call the airport at 641-7590, or go to the Web site www.slidell.schultzairshows.com.