WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --
An unprecedented air show with six headline acts --
including two major North American aerial demonstration teams -- pulled in
nearly 400,000 visitors May 16-17.
Mother Nature, which ultimately determines how high and
fast the pilots can safely perform, cooperated both days of the Great New
England Air Show, as sunny skies backdropped performers who looped, turned, and
climbed over the base.
The show's momentum actually began to wind up well before
the weekend, when the first U.S. Navy Blue Angel F/A-18 fighter roared into the
western Massachusetts skies May 14. Three incentive rides brought an area
teacher, policeman, and local journalist into the air for more than a half hour
each. Blue Angels and Canadian Snowbirds
practice flights raised the pre-show level of excitement for the base populace
as well.
A variety of Air Force airlift, trainer, and fighters
comprised the static aircraft. Spectators had a rare chance to view a Reaper
drone from the Air National Guard's 174th Wing at Hancock Field, N.Y. The
performers, besides the Blue Angels, included the Canadian Snowbirds, an Air
Force F-22, the Geico Skytypers, a Canadian CF-18, and the Army's Golden
Knights parachuting teams.
"This was an epic air show," said Col. Albert
Lupenski, 439th Airlift Wing commander. "Our security forces Airmen
superbly handled an enormous volume of traffic -- all while we're in an
increased threat posture. Hundreds of volunteers also were key to the success
of this event. The convergence of three major flying acts was a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Lt. Col. David Smith, air show director, said he heard
compliments all weekend about the professionalism of the entire Patriot Wing.
"Everyone I spoke with said how kind and
accommodating all the people are here, and that this was an excellent air
show," he said.