Air Force thrills at Daytona 500

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen Linch
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AFNS) --  Airmen thrilled about 200,000 spectators at the 52nd Annual Daytona 500 when two F-15 Eagles performed a flyover at the Daytona International Speedway Feb. 14 in Daytona Beach.

The Daytona 500 was seen by millions of viewers worldwide as the fighter aircraft from the 2nd Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., opened the event with a flyover following the national anthem.

"It is a great opportunity to show airpower to the United States of America and participate in a great event like the Daytona 500," said Lt. Col. Steven Burgh, the 2nd FS commander. "Anytime we get an opportunity to show the citizens of America the F-15 and get them excited, we take it."

The fans, who came to see 43 of the world's best stock car drivers compete against each other in the biggest race in NASCAR, appreciated the display.

"It was absolutely impressive," said Rich Bulkley, a NASCAR fan from Kansas City, Mo., of the flyover. "I got such a sense of pride when they roared by.