Anti-war protesters set to picket air show

Anti-war protesters are planning to picket this weekend's Salthill International Air Show, which will feature the first Irish…

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

The Galway Alliance Against War (GAAW) is to stage a "99 Red Balloon" peace event 3km away in Galway city. "GAAW is inviting all avid anti-war kite-flyers to attend its peaceful demonstration," a spokesman said yesterday.

The Thunderbirds are on a major European tour to mark the 60th anniversary of the US Air Force. The F-16 fighter jets are to appear at air displays in Britain, France, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey this summer.

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 at a height of about 150m (500ft) and at 725km/h (450mph).

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Other participants will include Britain's Royal Air Force and the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

The Air Corps will showcase its fleet of Italian-designed Agusta Westland helicopters. The Coast Guard, the Army Parachute Display Team and Aer Arann will also feature.