An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | March 11, 2008

Air Guard aerobatic pilot booked for busy season

By Tech. Sgt. Mike R. Smith National Guard Bureau

ARLINGTON, Va. - Air National Guard sponsored aerobatic pilot Maj. John Klatt and his Guarding America, Defending Freedom aerobatic team announced it will again take flight for the Air Guard this summer to entertain spectators at 18 air shows across the nation.

"He is a tremendous advocate for the Air Guard," said Lt. Col. Randy Johnson, chief of Air Guard Recruiting and Retention. "He goes out and does a terrific show, and then he follows that up by meeting and greeting and signing posters and pictures."

This will be the fourth air show season for the private aerobatic pilot and Operation Iraqi Freedom-seasoned, F-16 fighter pilot from the Minnesota Air Guard's 148th Fighter Wing.

Klatt's main job is to promote the Air National Guard, and his aircraft is painted with colorful red, white and blue Air Guard designs.

In the last three seasons, Klatt and his Staudacher S-300D, a single-prop, high performance aerobatic plane that reaches speeds of 250 mph, have performed for hundreds of thousands of spectators throughout the country.

During his performances, he narrates to the crowd as he performs aerobatic maneuvers that include barrel rolls, loop-the-loops, flips, and flying upside down at what appears to be just a few feet above the ground.

Klatt also partners with local Air Guard recruiters as he and his team travel to events much like a racecar team travels from racetrack to racetrack. Together, they help educate the public about the Air Guard, the Air Force and the National Guard.

"This is like old time barnstorming in a real grass roots way," said Klatt during last summer's Air Force Week, New England at Otis Air Guard Base in Massachusetts. "It's out in the community just like the barnstormers who would land and then take their airplanes up and show others the gift of flight."

At each show, Klatt's team and the recruiters operate a 39-foot mobile recruiting unit, a flight simulator and a second two-seater plane that Klatt uses to give orientation flights to community members.

Klatt's season opener is scheduled for the Great Tennessee Air Show April 12-13 in Nashville. Following performances are scheduled for:

  • April 18-20, Prairie Air Show, Peoria, Ill.
  • May 10-11, Wings Over Pittsburgh
  • May 17-18, Open House 2008, Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
  • May 24-25, Jones Beach, N.Y.
  • June 7-8, Thunder on the Lakeshore, Manitowoc, Wis.
  • June 21, Klamath Air Show, Klamath Falls, Ore.
  • June 28-29, Rhode Island Air Guard Open House, Quonset Point, R.I.
  • July 19-20, Duluth Air Expo, Duluth, Minn.
  • August 1-3, Seattle Seafair Air Show
  • August 8-10, Hillsboro Air Show, Hillsboro, Ore.
  • August 23-24, Indianapolis Air Show, Mt. Comfort Airport
  • August 30-Sept. 1, Wings of Freedom Air Show, Bay City, Wis.
  • Sept. 10-14, Reno Air Races and Show, Nev.
  • Oct. 4, Partners in the Sky Air Show, Vance AFB, Okla.
  • Oct. 18-19, Wings Over Masietta, Dobbins ARB, Ga.
  • Nov. 1-2, Sertoma Cajun Air Festival, Lafayette, La.
  • Nov. 8-9, Visiting Nurses Association Air Show, Stuart, Fla.

John Klatt's schedule is subject to change, so please visit www.johnklattairshows.com throughout the year for updates, information and news.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...