Visitors at Rosecrans Memorial Airport may hear the "Sound of Speed" gathering momentum. The Missouri Air National Guard, the Missouri Army National Guard, the city of St. Joseph and local businesses are starting to pull together to give area residents a spectacular "Sound of Speed" show on July 10 and 11 next year.

The 139th Airlift Wing appointed Maj. Byron Newell as the local coordinator who will work with civilian groups and other military units. One of the differences for next year's show is that the entire Missouri National Guard will be involved.

"We want to highlight to taxpayers how their neighbors are doing their jobs," Mr. Newell said.

The plan is to have Army Guard units demonstrate and show taxpayers the capabilities of the entire state Guard, said Maj. Barb Denny, a spokeswoman for the Air Guard.

Lessons learned from the 2006 air show at Rosecrans haven't been forgotten. Planners will use lessons learned about traffic flow and parking, Mr. Newell said. Planners have some improvements that should make it easier for visitors, he said.

The sound system will be improved, Mrs. Denny said. And there will be cooling stations and tents to provide shade and relief from the summer heat.

Five members of the 139th flew out to Quonset Point, R.I., in late June to observe an annual air show at a joint-use airport that's shared by the military and the local community. Some ideas from that show may be incorporated into next year's show, Mr. Newell said.

In the last 14 years, that annual air show has partnered with a local children's hospital and donated more than $1.2 million, Mrs. Denny said. A goal is to find a way to partner with local charities, particularly those that relate to children, and donate a portion of any profits, she said.

Some of the major acts for next year's show will be announced in January.

Marshall White can be reached at marshall@npgco.com.