The Wandering Disciple

The unmanned MQ-9 Reaper operated by the US Air Force is the ultimate seek and destroy platform. From the safety of a military compound, operators can deliver over 3,000 pounds of payload with pinpoint accuracy on a target way down range. It has been an important tactical weapon in the War on Terror with many key combatants falling victim to the Reaper. In addition to the US Air Force, the MQ-9 is in service with the US Department of Homeland Security, NASA and a variant called the Mariner is in use with the US Navy. The MQ-9 pictured here is operated by the 432d Wing at Creech Air Force Base and was on display during the 2018 Wings Over Homestead air show at Homestead Air Reserve Base. (Photo: November 4, 2018)

All lined up and ready to go. The premier demonstration team of the US Air Force, the Thunderbirds sit on the ramp at Homestead Air Reserve Base prior to their performance during the 2012 Wings Over Homestead.  The Thunderbirds perform in front of millions around the world.  (Photo: November 3, 2012)

On this Veteran's Day and everyday, a big thank you goes out to our nation's veterans for all the sacrifices they made to ensure the freedoms we enjoy.  While Veteran's Day is just one day on a calendar, the appreciation goes 365 days a year.  Thank you for answering the call to keep us safe and protect our way of life.  (Photo: November 4, 2018)

A special thank-you goes out to the men and woman who have served our nation's armed forces.  These brave men and woman sacrificed time away from their family to ensure our nation's security and protect our freedoms and liberties.   Your service is appreciated not only on Veteran's Day but each and every day.  Thank you for your service.  (Photo: November 3, 2012)

A paratrooper delivers Old Glory to kick off the Wings over Homestead.  The US Army Golden Knights are a demonstration paratrooper unit that travels the country performing at events and showing the capabilities of the US Army.  The Golden Knights will be performing at the 2017 Florida International Air Show which kicks off tonight and runs through Sunday at the Punta Gorda Airport.  (Photo: November 3, 2012)

A few Fighting Makos take to the sky during the 2012 Wings over Homestead airshow.  Known as the Fighting Makos, the 93rd Fighter Squadron is based at Homestead Air Reserve Base outside of Miami.  The Makos currently fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon conducing air superiority missions for the US Air Force Reserve command.  (Photo: November 3, 2012)

I would like to thank all the Veterans who have served our country.  I am forever grateful for your selfless service toward ensuring our freedoms and protecting our liberties.  Thank-you.  (Photo: November 3, 2012)

The US Army Golden Knights jump in Old Glory to kick off the Wings over Homestead Show.  The Golden Knights will be performing at the 2016 Florida International Air Show which begins tonight and runs through Sunday.  (Photo: November 3, 2012)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 482nd Fighter Wing sits on display at Homestead Air Reserve Base. The base is home to a squadron of reservist F-16’s. (Photo: November 3, 2012)

We are just one day away from the Florida International Airshow featuring the US Air Force Thunderbirds. The show is March 29-30 at Punta Gorda Airport. The Thunderbirds, pictured here at Homestead, are the acts finale for both days. (Photo: November 3, 2012)

An F-22 Raptor from 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base sits on static display at Wings over Homestead. The Raptor is built by Lockheed Martin and Boeing for the United States Air Force. Introduced in 2005, there have been 195 Raptors built at a cost of $150 million each. (Photo: November 3, 2012)

A paratrooper of the US Army Golden Knights performs during Wings over Homestead. The Golden Knights were formally organized in 1959 and became the official demonstration unit in 1961. The team consists of 95 soldiers comprised between two teams that perform in at events across the country. (Photo: November 3, 2012)

As much of the nation enjoys a day off today, lets take a moment to honor the veterans in which this day of remembrance has been established for. Originally declared Armistice Day in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson, the holiday was established to honor the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I on November 11, 1918. In 1926, President Calvin Coolidge declared Armistice Day a nation holiday to be honored yearly on November 11. Then in 1954, President Dwight D Eisenhower honored a movement to change the name of holiday to Veterans Day to honor all Veterans who served the nation. (Photo: November 3, 2012)

Rob Holland performs high above Homestead Air Reserve Base during Wings over Homestead last weekend. Holland uses his MX-2 to dazzle the crowd with high flying aerial acrobatics. (Photo: November 3, 2012)

A paratrooper from the US Army Golden Knights delivers the American flag to open Saturday's Wings over Homestead air show. The Golden Knights are a select team of advanced paratroopers who travel the country providing demonstrations at major events and competing in competitions. There are two teams of Golden Knights consisting of 12 members each. (Photo: November 3, 2012)

An F-16 Fighting Falcon of the 482nd Fighter Wing stands guard outside the gates to the Homestead Air Reserve Base. The 482nd Fighter Wing, also referred to as the Fighting Makos, have been patrolling the skies over South Florida since 1942 using the F-4 Phantom II and now the F-16 Fighting Falcon. (Photo: November 3, 2012)

Homestead, Florida: The skies overhead roared to life with the sounds of jet engines as the Homestead Air Reserve Base hosted Wings over Homestead. The base hosted several hundred thousand visitors who came to see aerial acts highlighted by the US Air Force Thunderbirds. The free show kicked off Saturday with amaing aerial acts on both days. Some of the performers that dazzled the crowd included the host Fighting Makos, aeriel acrobaics of Rob Holland, the Black Diamond Jet team and of course the highlighted act, the Thunderbirds. There were over five hours of aerial demonstrations between the variety of performers ranging from World War II era through modern day. In addition to the aerial acts, there were plenty of static displays on the ground. From the big jets of Air Mobiliy Command such as the C-17 Globemaster to the sleek fighters of Air Combat Command like the F-22 Raptor, they were all on display for visitors to get a close up look. The 2012 Wings over Homestead...