Thousands of people flocked to Arnold Palmer Regional Airport for the Westmoreland County Air Show, where Lt. Ken Barnhart, a Ruffsdale native and Yough High School graduate, finished a 35-minute aerial display in an F-18 fighter jet.

Barnhart flew the jet reaching speeds just below the speed of sound.

“It’s great to be here,” Barnhart said after greeting family and friends. “I grew up coming to this air show and it’s nice to be back.”

Barnhart has flown 25 combat missions with the U.S. Navy in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Written by the Tribune-Review

Lt. Ken Barnhart, a Ruffsdale native and Yough High School graduate, poses with his F-18 fighter jet on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe before the Westmoreland County Air Show.
Steph Anderson | Tribune-Review

Lt. Ken Barnhart, a Ruffsdale native and Yough High School graduate, breaks the sound barrier with his F-18 fighter jet during the Westmoreland County Air Show on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe.
Steph Anderson | Tribune-Review