By Julian MITCHELL

The American Heroes Air Show returns this Saturday for the 25th time to showcase helicopters of all kinds. The show will be held at the Hansen Dam Sports Complex from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to attend.

“The purpose of the event is to educate, communicate and demonstrate to the public, media and public officials the versatility of the rotary wing technology,” said Jim Paules, the volunteer executive producer for the American Heroes Air Show.

The air show showcases helicopters from local level services up to the federal level. Additionally, the show gives attendees the chance to meet those who operate these copters.

There are expected to be 23 air ships on display, although that is tentative as some helicopters might be called into action preventing them from attending the show.

In addition, attendees will have the rare opportunity to see live demonstrations of what these machines can really do, including an aerial rescue maneuver and a water drop.

“It’s more than just these helicopters sitting on the ground, which is pretty cool itself,” said Paules.

In the spirit of fun, the American Heroes Air Show has created collectible trading cards featuring many of the helicopters that will be on display. This year the cards will feature a Vietnam-era AH-1S COBRA and a U.S. Coast Guard “Dolphin” helicopter.

One event that the Air Show has been proud to host has been a citizenship ceremony. Each year at the show, a group of minors get to take their oath of citizenship in front of attendees. This year, 56 children will be present at the event.

“It’s very emotional,” said Paules. “Their families fly in from all over to come watch.”

The citizenship event begins at 10 a.m.

Another special event that the American Heroes Air Show is proud to host is the Roll In to the Rescue Auto Show. This show within the show features restored classic emergency responder vehicles. The group that puts this together is composed mainly of retired emergency responders who own and restore the fire trucks, squad cars and ambulances. The crew starts in Burbank and makes its way along Foothill Boulevard to Hansen Dam, arriving at 9:30 a.m. with sirens and lights blaring.

The Air Show will also play host to many recruiting opportunities from many federal agencies, including the Secret Service and Drug Enforcement Administration.

Paules believes that the event is very important to educate citizens on helicopters, especially in a community that needs them year-in and year-out.

“We have difficult topography, we can’t get fire crews up in the canyons and ravines [during a fire],” said Paules. “There’s only one way: a helicopter.”

The event will be located at the Hansen Dam Sports Complex, 11480 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace. There will be free parking at the Sports Complex and additional parking at the Discovery Cube. For those who park at the Discovery Cube, a free shuttle to the event will be provided.