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Watch Videos And Get Fired Up For ‘Aviation Nation 2022’

Have you ever been to “Aviation Nation” at Nellis Air Force Base? I have, and I can’t wait to go back. If you haven’t been there before to see all of…

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flying demonstration
Ethan Miller / Staff via Getty Images

Have you ever been to "Aviation Nation" at Nellis Air Force Base? I have, and I can't wait to go back. If you haven't been there before to see all of these amazing flight demonstrations, make plans to go on Saturday or Sunday, November 5-6.

Check out these promotional videos. They'll get you fired up!

Now you see what I mean! All those  happy faces. People catching all the action on cameras and smart phones. It makes one proud to be an American.

Of course, the headliner of those two days out at Nellis are the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. According to the Aviation Nation website, "The pilots perform approximately 30 maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including ground and air, runs about an hour and fifteen minutes."

Other highlights of the day include demonstrations by the "Aftershock" Jet Fire Truck, the West Coast Rhino Demo Team, the Growler Legacy Team, the USAF Heritage Team, the ACC F-22 and F-35A Demo Teams, the F-35 Lightning II, the HH 60G Pave Hawk Helicopter, the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the C-17 Globemaster III, the F-15E Strike Eagle, the A-10 Thunderbolt II, and much more.

There will also be static displays on the Nellis AFB grounds including the MQ-9 Reaper, F-15C Eagle, T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk, T-38 Talon, F-22 Raptor, F-35A Lightning II, A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-16 Fighting Falcon, HH 60G Pave Hawk Helicopter, and a lot more.

The gates open at 8am each day with the action starting at 9:30am. All parking is free at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Buses will take people from the Speedway to the Nellis AFB flight line from 8am-2pm, so don't arrive too late, because absolutely no foot traffic will be allowed through any gate on the base. Please check the Aviation Nation website for more information, site map, and a list of items which will not be allowed on the base.

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Larry Martino is the long-time Afternoon Drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.

Learn About Our Las Vegas Memorial Day Hero From World War II

He was a pilot before the air force was even created, selflessly serving his country throughout one of the bloodiest wars in history.

This past Memorial Day, Mike O'Brian from "The Mike & Carla Morning Show" visited his father-in-law Ben Johnson at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Mr. Johnson was a hero and trailblazer, who served in World War II as a pilot. His position within the army is a testament to American Military history. The U.S. Air Force was created on Sept. 18, 1947, which was a few years shy from World War II's ending.

Since the air force was non-existent at the time of World War II, which ended in 1945, Mr. Johnson belonged to the U.S. Army. His position within the army shows the transformation of branches within the military.

On Memorial Day, a humbling scene unfolded at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery. 

Flags dotted the cemetery and gravestones for miles. The tiny flags slicing across the grassy fields were a huge symbol and a physical representation of the sacrifices that were made throughout history.

Each individual flag (shown below) represents a man or a woman who served this country. The scene of the cemetery is intense, emotional and dignifying, and perfectly encapsulates the essence of Memorial Day: A day of honoring and remembering.

Ben Johnson died in 2001 in Las Vegas. However, his memory will never be forgotten. The chapters of history will never forget the men and woman who made the ultimate sacrifice as their names will eternally be etched into the fabric of our nation.

From the Walla Walla area of Washington state, the humility of Ben Johnson is exactly what makes him a hero. He was a family man, who served his country when he was called upon. Perhaps, it's this humility that's stretched across most service members in the United States Armed Forces that perpetuates their importance.

As Elie Wiesel said, "Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory there would be no civilization, no future."

A Woman Sitting With Her Late Husband On Memorial Day

Memorial Day [Mike O'Brian] via BMG Las Vegas

Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Veteran's Memorial Cemetery[Mike O'Brian] via Getty Images

Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Veterans Memorial Cemetery[Mike O'Brian] via BMG Las Vegas

Bagpipes Were Played To Honor Fallen Soldiers

Memorial Day Ceremony[Mike O'Brian] via BMG Las Vegas

Flags Were Flown At Half-Staff During Memorial Day

Flags to Half-Staff [Mike O]Brian] via BMG Las Vegas

Memorial Day: A Time To Reflect And Remember

Memorial Day[Mike O'Brian] via BMG Las Vegas

"Don't forget who your heroes are, what they mean to you, and why they mean that to you." — Gale Harold

Memorial Day [Mike O'Brian] via BMG Las Vegas

Korean War Veterans Memorial Plaque At Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery

Korean War Veterans Memorial Plaque [Mike O'Brian] via BMG Las Vegas

To The Women and Men Who've Served Our Country: Thank You

Plaque Honoring Veterans in NV[Slone Terranella] via BMG Las Vegas
Larry Martino has been the afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ since 2007. He is also Music Director and Assistant Program Director. He’s been a professional radio broadcaster since 1980, serving as on-air talent, Program Director, and Music Director during his career. As a content creator for 96.3 KKLZ, Larry specializes in writing articles about music, recording artists, movies, food/restaurants, and hockey.