COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE — “It”s a great day for flying,” said pilot Rod “Brick” James as he gazed wistfully at the planes passing above.
But James had to keep to the ground at the Wings Over Columbus Air Show Saturday. He and his partner, weapons systems operator Nathan “Brutus” White, had their F-15E fighter plane on static display so visitors could inspect it and ask the duo questions.
White said while he”s met lots of other pilots and retired military people, he was most amused by the kids, who loved to ask how fast and how high the plane can go — and where they put their luggage.
The show continues with gates opening at 9 a.m. today. Planes again take to the skies at noon, and the show concludes at 5 p.m.
The road, and the walk, to the air show was not a short one for visitors. With more than 30,000 people visiting the Columbus Air Force Base, some people had to park over a mile away and walk to the grounds. Delois Triplett, of Starkville, and her three sons left at 9 a.m. to try to beat the crowds.
“We didn”t realize that the show wouldn”t start until noon, and I had some grumbling boys until the planes started flying,” she said.
Fourteenth Flying Training Wing student Lt. Alex Gallman brought his parents, Chris and Jean Gallman, down from Loganville, Ga., to watch the show.
“This is just awesome,” said Jean Gallman. When asked what she would think of her son up there doing stunts, she replied laughing. “It scares me, but it”s his dream — whatever makes him happy.”
Retired Air Force Sgt. Andy Hilgenberg came from Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he works at the Veterans Administration, to see the Air Force”s Thunderbirds acrobatic team fly again. “I got out of the Air Force in 1985, but I heard the Birds were playing today and I said ”Man, I gotta go!” I saw them back in the ”80s once in Wyoming and it”s good to see them again.”
Other features of the show include the Army”s Golden Knights parachuting team, a MiG-21 demonstration, the gigantic C-17 Globemaster, vintage Thunderbirds and a flyby from the 14th Flying Training Wing. A civilian demonstration known as Tora, Tora, Tora reenacts the bombing of Pearl Harbor, complete with pyrotechnics.
A kid zone will be set up for the children and multiple food and drink vendors will be on hand. Gates close at 5 p.m.
Set up like many, with lawn chairs and umbrellas to block the heat and sun, were father and son pair Todd and Andrew Parker. “I have a brother in the Air Force that”s stationed here,” explained Todd. It”s an excellent opportunity for my 15-year-old to learn about planes — he loves them, and it”s a great family event.”
Another educational event at the air show was the Virtual Army Experience. Army Staff Sgt. Grady Brain has toured with the simulator for over a year, and has followed it from Florida to New York to California and back again. “People really unite and support this and us. It”s a great experience,” he said.
In the Virtual Army Experience, people are grouped into 16-person teams and are given an assignment — to deliver aid and supplies to a camp surrounded by enemy forces. After being briefed, the participants climb into either Hummers or a Black Hawk helicopter that are outfitted with weapons. Very much like a video game, they watch a series of large screens and have to neutralize enemy attackers and deliver the supplies to base. After, they are debriefed on their mission by Sgt. First Class John Adams, who received the Bronze Star with Valor for a very similar experience he had in Iraq in 2004.
“It”s a blue moon when you see someone come through with a scared face on,” said Adams. “Everyone loves it. It puts them in a situation and shows them how to react it. And that”s how we train too — first in simulation.”
“It gave me an insight of what they go through,” said Kyle Miller, 20, of Starkville. “It kind of made me want to do my part.”
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