The Cradle of Aviation will be the exclusive New York metro area venue which will showcase the exhilarating aerial combat film Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag. The 45-minute film which follows a young F-15 fighter pilot through Red Flag, the final training phase before pilots are sent into actual combat, will debut at the Cradle of Aviation’s, Leroy R. & Rose W. Grumman IMAX® Dome Theater on Friday December 10, 2004.

“This incredible film provides a rare insider's view into the teamwork and dangers inherent in military flight training,” said Claudia Oakes, Chief Operating Officer of the Cradle of Aviation. “So many films on fighter aircraft essentially fake the interaction between the planes using a lot of quick cutting, simu-lated cockpit photography and special effects.This is the closest an audience will ever get to flying in the middle of a massive air combat operation.”

Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag will be shown at
11:00 AM on Tuesdays
11:00 AM and 3:10 PM Wednesday - Friday
12:00 noon and 3:10 PM on Saturdays and Sundays

The cost of admission to the IMAX Dome Theater is
$8.50 for an adult
$7.50 for a senior
$6.50 for a child.

Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag tells the story of Captain John Stratton, a young American fighter pilot, determined to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, a decorated World War II flying ace. He joins the world's best pilots at Red Flag -- the most challenging training exercise for the air forces of the U.S. and its allies. The film follows Stratton in his F-15 Eagle as he undertakes Red Flag's treacherous and immensely complicated train-ing. His childhood vision of heroism widens as he witnesses the teamwork of his ground crew and other pilots, ensuring a successful mission and his safe return home.

Established in 1975, Red Flag is a two-week realistic combat training exercise involving the elite aerial forces from all four branches of the U.S. military, plus their Guard/Reserve components. It is com-monly described as being more challenging than actual combat. Since its inception, NATO and the air forces of 27 other countries have joined the U.S. in these intensive exercises, as well as individual members of other countries who have participated as observers.

Red Flag is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, as one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the Air Warfare Center and Nellis through the 414th Combat Training Squadron. Red Flag exercises have provided training for over 400,000 elite military personnel, including more than 132,000 aircrew members flying over 350,000 sorties and logging over 600,000 hours flying time

“This is THE movie of the Air Force for the next 30-40 years, as seen through the prism of a Red Flag exercise and Capt. Stratton's personal journey," stated Major Sam Morgan, fighter pilot and the film's Air Force Technical Advisor.

“Fighter Pilot was a highly unique shoot because it involved the largest number and variety of aircraft I have ever worked with at one time, “ said aerial cinematographer, Clay Lacy

Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag features twenty F-15E Strike Eagles, representing four American squadrons, considered by many to be the greatest fighter ever built. The Germans brought six of their European-built Tornados. These aircraft are known for their sophisticated electronics. The Israeli's arrived with six F-16's. The Canadians brought F-18 Hornets from Alberta and Quebec. The British Royal Navy flew their famous Harrier jump jets used mostly for close ground support.

The film is directed by Stephen Low (Volcanoes of the Deep Sea, Super Speedway), and is a presentation of K2 Communications .Major funding was provided by The Boeing Company.

For press use, official high-resolution photographs from the film are available for downloading at: www.bigmoviezone.com/fighterpilotpress

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