He has 17 warbirds--World War II fighters such as the Rare Bear, a Grumman F8F Bearcat that has set records as the world's fastest piston-driven plane, hitting 528 mph.

FORBES: A Wildcatter In Love With Warbirds

World War II Spitfire and Mustang fighters added a note of nostalgia, and a modern, helium-filled Zeppelin airship bobbed and dipped above the crowd.

BBC: air show

In a particularly ferocious battle in Najaf, Iraq, in 2007, he recalled in a military article how U.S. fighters had to resort to World War II-style tactics to persevere.

WSJ: Staff Sgt. Robert Bales Identified as Suspect in Afghan Attack