Great New England Air Show draws close to 400,000

  • Published
  • By MSgt. Andrew Biscoe
  • 439th AW Public Affairs

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.