Anti-war protesters to picket airhshow

Anti-war protesters are due to picket this weekend's Salthill International Airshow which will feature the first Irish visit …

Anti-war protesters are due to picket this weekend's Salthill International Airshow which will feature the first Irish visit of the US Air Force's elite Thunderbirds squadron.

The Galway Alliance Against War (GAAW) will be holding a '99 Red Balloon' peace event 3km away in Galway City.

"GAAW is inviting all avid anti-war kiteflyers to attend its peaceful demonstration," a spokesman said today.

The Thunderbirds are on a major European tour to mark the 60th anniversary of the US Air Force.

READ MORE

The red, white and blue F-16 fighter jets are due to appear at air displays in Britain, France, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey this summer.

The squadron thrilled crowds at the Super Bowl in Miami in February with a flyover of Dolphin Stadium.

The six jets are expected to perform their signature six-ship Delta formation before an expected 100,000 spectators in Salthill on Sunday.

The aircraft usually fly over at about 500 feet and 450 miles per hour.

Now in its 15th year, the Salthill Airshow started with just one fishing boat and the Coastguard helicopter from Shannon.

Since then it has become the biggest show in the country and remains free.

Participating this wear will be aircraft from Britain's Royal Air Force and the Royal Netherlands Air Force

The Irish Air Corps will also showcase its fleet of Italian-designed Agusta Westland helicopters.

The Irish Coast Guard, the Irish Army Parachute Display Team and Aer Arann will also feature.