10/25/04 Vandenberg Air Force Base will open its gates this weekend for the Western Air and Space Show, a two-day aviation and space fest.

Gates will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, allowing visitors to view static displays and aerial performances. Admission and parking are free.

Organizers expect 100,000 visitors to attend the event called "The Best Come West."

"An air show is an opportunity for the Air Force to show the community what our current capabilities are, what our historic and heritage capabilities were during World War II," said Lt. Col. Loretta Kelemen, 30th Operations Support Squadron commander. "We'll have some World War II vintage aircraft out there."

The Air Force's Thunderbirds and the Navy's Blue Angels were unavailable, but the base lined up another headliner act, the Patriots, reportedly the United States' only civilian jet team. The three-plane team flies the L-39 aircraft.

Other performers include civilian and military acts such as an F/A-18 Hornet, an F-16 Fighting Falcon, Steve Cowell in a T-6 "Double-Vee" and Julie Clark in a T-34 aerobatic act.

Another team will demonstrate the capabilities of the A-10 Thunderbolt.

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About two dozen aircraft will be on static display, including a C-17, the L-1011 used for Pegasus rocket launches, an F-117 Stealth Fighter, and a UH-1N Huey helicopter. They're hoping to snare the Air Force's newest fighter, the F-22.

The base's lone hangar also will be filled with exhibits, many from aerospace firms at Vandenberg. Displays will include NASA Jet Propulsion Lab and its Mars Rovers and a Titan 2 missile.

The Air Force Academy's mascot, a live Falcon, also will be on hand.

"We think we're got a great show," Kelemen said. The show has a $200,000 budget.

The show will go on rain or shine; however, clouds could force aerial acts to modify performances.

Vandenberg's last Air and Space Show was in 2002.

The base again snagged veteran air show announcer Larry Shapiro. The six hours of aerial acts begin after a 10 a.m. opening ceremony that will include a welcome from Col. Frank Gallegos, 30th Space Wing commander.

Upon arriving at the base's Lompoc, Santa Maria or Solvang gates, visitors will be directed to parking lots where buses will take them to the airfield. Drivers should be prepared to display drivers' licenses as they enter.

Recreational vehicles won't be allowed on base, but will be directed to the former mobile home park on Azalea Lane, off Highway 1. A bus will cart RV owners onto base. Shuttle buses will run between parking lots and the airfield.

Halloween costumes, for children and adults, are forbidden because of security reasons.

Coolers, dogs, backpacks and other large bags are also banned. Small purses and small fanny packs will be allowed. Strollers and small wagons are allowed, but will be searched by hand at the gate. Folding chairs must be in their own carrying case.

Cameras, cell phones and scanners will be allowed, but camera bags must be compact and a vest is suggested.

For information, go to the Web site www.30svs.com/Airshow2004

Associate Editor Janene Scully can be reached at 739-2214 or by e-mail at janscully@pulitzer.net.