Located close to the famous international landmark found in its name, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station has a lengthy association with military aviation activities. Dating to 1928, the civil airport became home to the manufacture of military aircraft even before the United States entered the Second World War. In the postwar period a portion of the airport became home to military flying. Initially a naval air station, the facility later became an air force base and then an air reserve station. Along the way, many open houses and air shows have been hosted there attracting large crowds from the local area and nearby Canada. As the only air base in western New York, the air show usually attracts a good assortment of aircraft from all of the armed services.
The 2011 event was no exception and coincided with the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States on 9 September 2001. This publication focuses on the flying portion of that open house and was prepared ahead of the 2013 Thunder of Niagara. As fate would have it, a federal government budget sequestration came into effect earlier in the year severely limiting Department of Defense spending. Thus, operational efforts were prioritized. Military open houses were cancelled and DoD support for civilian air shows ended. Nevertheless, it was decided to publish this 18-page booklet. It was included in Aviation Miscellany No. 2 and is free to view at the PlanePixelBooks Publications blog linked below.
