Air Force plays part in Vegas Grand Prix Published April 5, 2007 By Senior Airman Travis Edwards 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- It's time for a high-octane, 200-mph adrenaline rush known as the 2007 Vegas Grand Prix April 6 - 8 in Downtown Las Vegas, Nev., with Nellis playing a major role. "When a high-speed race like the Vegas Grand Prix comes to Las Vegas, it only seems natural to have a few of our high-powered jets to conduct a flyover to signify the start of the race," said 1st Lt. Jon Stock, Nellis public affairs chief of community relations. "Some F-15C pilots from Eglin AFB, Fla., volunteered to fly over the downtown race track before they left Las Vegas from their [temporary duty] here." "We are here and available, so it was an easy decision for us to support and promote Nellis and the Air Force as best as we can," said Maj. Jeff Percy, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron F-15 pilot. A Nellis Chaplain (Maj.) William Bartoul, 99th Air Base Wing, will lead the invocation. The Nellis Honor Guard will post the colors following the invocation. The four F-15C Eagles from Eglin AFB will conduct their flyover April 8 at 12:55 p.m. just as Airman Leadership School flight chief, Master Sgt. Robert Brooks, sings the national anthem. "I've always enjoyed singing at large venues off base to help recruit future Air Force members," said Sergeant Brooks. This will mark the first time an open-wheel racing event has been held in the streets of Las Vegas since 1982, when Michele Alboreto took first place. The Vegas Grand Prix is a three-day action- and entertainment-packed event that is projected to draw more than 150,000 people. The race is almost a 2.5-mile course full of left and right turns that roars by Fremont Street.
