WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --
Some
of the finest military and civilian pilots in the nation will take to the skies
over western Massachusetts for the 2015 Great New England Air Show May 16-17.
Air show coordinators have devoted months to planning a wide array of current
and vintage military aircraft – flying into Westover from all points in
the nation.
The headliners include the renowned U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the
Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds demonstration teams. The Air Force’s newest
fighter, the F-22 Raptor, will make its debut at Westover alongside the Army
Golden Knights, a Canadian CF-18, and the GEICO Skytypers.
The Golden Knights will literally drop into the air show to kick the events off as they
perform
their skydiving demonstrations. These elite parachutists have won more than
400 national championships and world championships.
Crowds will get an up-close
look at the F-22 as the Raptor will show off its combination of stealth,
supercruise, and exceptional maneuverability in the sky.The aircraft is
a critical component of the Global Strike Task Force, and is unmatched by any
known fighter aircraft. It performs both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
The Canadian Snowbirds will return to Westover since their last performance
over 20 years ago at the base’s 50th
Anniversary Air Show. The team consists of nine CT-114 Tudors flown in
close
succession by pilots of the Canadian Forces.
The Blue Angels will fly as the
final performance on Saturday and Sunday. The team consists of six F/A- 18
Hornets,
and their C-130 Hercules, popular known as “Fat Albert.” The Blue
Angels,
who consist of hand-picked Navy and Marine pilots, will showcase their
skills
as well as their first-ever female pilot who is part of this year’s
“Fat
Albert” aircrew.
Spectators can take in both air and ground displays as this
year’s show is scheduled to boast more than a dozen static displays,
ranging
from World War II-era Warbirds to some of the Air Force’s most advanced
aircraft, including Westover’s own C-5. Air shows at Westover typically
attracted huge crowds. This year’s show distinguishes itself in several
respects: It honors Westover’s 75th anniversary of service to America.
In
addition, this will be the first time the Blue Angels have performed at the base.
The last time the team visited was in 1959, when it staged from the base for
a flyover at the Big E in Springfield.