The Guardians of Freedom Air Show is nine months away, but the excitement began to build Monday when two Blue Angels flew into Lincoln for the official kickoff of the Sept. 10-11 event.

Lts. Todd Royles and Dave Tickle joined Gov. Dave Heineman and other military and civilian leaders near an F/A-18 Hornet parked inside a Nebraska National Guard hangar.

Their message: Hold onto your seats for one of the best air shows Lincoln has ever seen. And here's why: The last day of the air show will mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Plus the U.S. Navy will commemorate the 100th anniversary of naval aviation, and the Nebraska Air National Guard will celebrate its 65th anniversary.

"Sept. 11 is a solemn day for our nation," Heineman said at a news conference. "But I am pleased that the Blue Angels will be part of the patriotic tribute taking place in our state."

The last time the Blue Angels flew in Lincoln was in September 2006. Nearly 300,000 spectators -- including about 200,000 at the airport -- saw the show, Chamber of Commerce President Wendy Birdsall said.

Birdsall expects this year's crowd to be the biggest ever for an air show in Lincoln.