June 13, 2019 • APG News A3 OC Air Show returns to Maryland June 15-16 By JON BLEIWEIS, APG News Aberdeen Proving Ground has its share of military equipment, but if you want to see more military equipment in action from other armed forces, the OC Air Show, in Ocean City on June 15 and 16, may be the spot for you. The show, in its 12th year, brings crowds in the tens of thousands to the resort town to see planes and helicopters fly through the Maryland skies, with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. Chris Dirato, the show’s director of public relations, said to expect an action-packed and family-friendly show. “To be able to come out and see the talent that these pilots have and the aircraft that they maneuver around, that’s exciting in itself,” he said. “You’re seeing aircraft that are defending our freedom every day.” Equipment from all branches of the military are expected to take part in the show, Dirato said. Representing the Army from the U.S. Army 2nd Aviation Detachment will be A UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter. The Lako- ta operates worldwide in permissive environ- ments to meet homeland defense and security, general support, reconnaissance, command and control operations, search and rescue, as well as training requirements. Homeland defense and security missions for the helicopter include assistance to border patrol operations, terrorist Courtesy photos incident response, counterdrug operations and The U.S. Navy Blue Angels, who performed their first demonstration flight in June 1946, making them the second oldest disaster relief missions, as well as Generating formal flying aerobatic team in the world, will headline the OC Air Show in Ocean City, Maryland, June 15 and 16. Force MEDEVAC capability for the U.S. Army BELOW RIGHT: A F-16 Viper Demo Team from Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, will zoom in for the OC Air Show. National Guard. Headlining this year’s show is the U.S. Maryland Air National Guard. Navy Blue Angels. There will also be a hint The show is free to watch, but there are of international flair, as the Canadian Armed premium seating options available starting at Forces Snowbirds are set to make their OC Air $22.50 prior to the show and $30 on the day of Show debut. the show. For more information, visit https:// The U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team ocairshow.com/purchase-tickets/. will also perform. The team’s F-16CM Fighting The show can also be viewed by boat with- Falcon, affectionately known as the “Viper,” is in a limited area on the eastern perimeter of the a single-seat, multi-role fighter with the ability U.S. Coast Guard Safety Zone. to switch between an air-to-ground and an air- The shows run noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday to-air role at the touch of a button. and Sunday. The show will also feature two A-10 Wart- For more information, visit ocairshow.com hog Thunderbolts from the 175th Wing of the and facebook.com/ocairshow. BY THE NUMB#RS U.S. BOTANIC GARDEN Created in 1820 by the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Botanic Garden, in Washington, D.C., is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. Since 1934, it has been administered through the Architect of the Capitol. Learn more about this “living plant museum” with these facts. 1 million+ Number of people who visit the USBG each year. It is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Photo courtesy of David Bellavia 21 Then squad leader, Staff Sgt. David Bellavia, left, is shown in Iraq with one of Number of public gardens featured in the “Gardens across Amer- his Soldiers in 2004. ica” exhibit, running through Oct. 1, 2019. “The displays include signature plants and visual elements to provide visitors with a deeper Soldier in Fallujah battle to understanding of the gardens’ plants, styles, origins, regional character- istics, and missions,” the website states. receive highest military honor BY JOE LACDAN re-entered the house. Army News Service The intensity of the situation and the close 10 WASHINGTON -- Former Staff Sgt. combat that followed shocked Bellavia, who had limited experience with enemy contact at Number of garden rooms under glass in USBG’s Conservatory. David Bellavia will be awarded the Medal of the time. The conservatory was constructed by the Architect of the Capitol in Honor for his bravery during some of the dead- “Never in my life had I seen anything like 1933. liest fighting in Iraq, President Donald Trump that,” he said of the fighting. announced. Bellavia called for an M2 Bradley Fighting A squad leader during the second battle of Vehicle to provide suppressing fire with its 25 Fallujah, Bellavia, now 43, exposed himself to mm cannon as he headed inside. He then fought enemy fire as he defended his Soldiers on Nov. his way up three floors, using his rifle and gre- 3 acres 10, 2004. nades to kill four enemy insurgents and mortal- The size of The National Garden, which opened in 2006. The Third Platoon, A Company, Task Force 2-2 ly wound another. The first insurgent Bellavia National Garden includes a rose garden, a butterfly garden and a water was with U.S. Marines facing about 1,500 to killed had been loading an RPG launcher to fire garden dedicated to the first ladies of the United States. 3,000 insurgents who had been using the most- upon Third Platoon. Bellavia’s actions ultimate- ly abandoned city as cover. A Company learned ly saved three squads of Third Platoon. six to eight insurgents were hiding somewhere For his actions during the firefight, Bellavia in a block of 12 buildings, and the company received the Silver Star. His other commenda- would have to search each one to try and find tions include the Bronze Star and the New York $0 them. After unsuccessfully searching the first State Conspicuous Service Cross. The cost of admission to the USBG. It is open every day, including nine buildings, Platoon members entered the The native of Waterport, New York, grew federal holidays. next structure and encountered heavy gunfire up listening to stories from his grandfather, a from within. World War II veteran who still resides in the Bellavia used his M249 squad automat- area. He became enamored with the military RACHEL PONDER, ic weapon to suppress and counter the insur- life at a young age and at 23, he left college and By APG News gent attack, allowing Third Platoon members enlisted in the Army in July 1999. Source(s): https://www.usbg.gov to escape the house. Bellavia left active duty in 2005 and cur- The platoon then began taking fire from rently hosts his own radio show in the Buffa- insurgents on the house’s rooftop. Bellavia, lo, New York area. He is also the co-founder realizing the only way to keep his platoon from of Vets for Freedom, a conservative political taking casualties was to eliminate the enemy, advocacy organization..