Western National Bank on Board for AIRSHO 2010

Midland, Texas (Jan. 29, 2010) — The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is proud to announce that Western National Bank will return as Exclusive Presenting Sponsor for the 2010 AIRSHO! The Best Warbird Show in America returns to the skies Oct. 9-10, 2010, above MidlandInternationalAirport between Midland and Odessa, Texas.

“The CAF is proud to welcome back Western National Bank as the Exclusive Presenting Sponsor for CAF AIRSHO 2010,” said CAF President Stephan C. Brown. “Through the support of Western National Bank the 2009 AIRSHO was one of the best in our history despite having some weather troubles. We are looking forward to another stellar year with Western National Bank by our side!”

With the support of Western National Bank’s sponsorship, the CAF will once again host the Friday morning Junior Aces event. Junior Aces is a free educational program that invites sixth grade students at area elementary and middle schools to enjoy a morning full of flight and history. Teachers have the opportunity to engage their students in a multi-sensory lesson on the history of American Military Aviation.

”Western National Bank is pleased to be returning as the Exclusive Presenting Sponsor of AIRSHO 2010,” said Western National Bank President and CEO Jack Wood. “AIRSHO is an event that benefits the entire community and as a locally owned community bank, we are proud to be part of such a unique celebration of freedom. We had a great experience in 2009 and are looking forward to an even better AIRSHO in 2010.”

Also returning for the second year is the CAF Retro USO* Show. This year, the CAF takes you back in time once again to the 1940s with a great show featuring more entertainment and flying! The 2010 retro event will kick off immediately after the regular AIRSHO flying ends.

“We have been planning the 2010 AIRSHO since the day after last year’s show and we have some new things in store,” said CAF President Stephan Brown. “We are taking the CAF Retro USO Show to the next level, with more entertainment, an evening AIRSHO and a fireworks display. The 2010 AIRSHO will offer attractions for all ages to enjoy, from some newly restored vintage warbirds that haven’t flown in years, to live music and explosive demonstrations. In the coming months, I look forward to making more exciting announcements of the unique attractions and aircraft to see at AIRSHO! ”

AIRSHO features over 100 aircraft on display and in the air, ranging from early vintage aircraft to the thundering sounds of today's American military. CAF AIRSHO takes great pride in bringing modern military to the public along with the historic aircraft of the CAF fleet.

AIRSHO will feature recreated historic battles of World War II using the CAF’s collection of rare classic warbirds. The show will include aerial dogfights, simulated bomb explosions that rock the ground and a recreation of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor with the world-renowned Tora, Tora, Tora pilots.

Western National Bank is headquartered in the PermianBasin, with offices in Odessa, Midland, and San Antonio.  With assets of $1 billion, it has been a leading independent community bank for over 30 years and is the largest locally owned bank in this market.

Collecting, restoring and flying vintage historical aircraft for more than half a century, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) ranks as one of the largest private air forces in the world. The CAF is dedicated to Honoring American Military Aviation through flight, exhibition and remembrance. A non-profit educational association, the CAF has approximately 9,000 members and a fleet of 156 airplanes distributed throughout the country to 74 units located in 27 states for care and operation. For more information, visit www.commemorativeairforce.org or call (432) 563-1000.

* 'USO' and the USO logo are registered trademarks of the United Service Organizations, Inc.  Permission to use the name and logo has been granted.  This event will not raise funds for the USO.