Saturday, May 29, 2010

Memorial Day Air Show 2010

For a variety of reasons (usually work), I've missed the Memorial Day Air Show here in Columbia for the last four years. This year, I made a determined effort not to let anything preempt my plans. The following photos (26 out of 287) are of but a few things I saw at the show. What the photos can not show is the debt of gratitude I feel toward our Veterans, for whom this air show honors.

Please visit the official site of the Salute to Veterans Memorial Day Airshow at www.salute.org/Airshow.shtm for more information.


On the tarmac looking northeast. There will be a lot of walking today!
Rotor assembly on a Sikorsky MH-53 "Sea Dragon". This helicopter comes to us from the Airborne Mine Countermeasures Weapon Systems Training School (AWSTS) in Norfolk, VA.


Approaching a P-3 Orion stationed at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL.


P-3 Orion.



The business end of an A-10 Thunderbolt II. Under normal circumstances, avoid at all cost.



One of two engines on the A-10.



Folded wing of the Douglas A-1 Skyraider.


Cowling on the Skyraider.


A beautiful P-51 Mustang.


Another beautiful plane, the North American B-25 Mitchell Bomber.


Tailgunner section on the B-25.


Front of the B-25.


Boeing E-6B Mercury, with the United States Navy Strategic Communications Wing One based at Tinker Air Force Base, OK.


Rear of the E-6B.


One of the four CFM International CFM56-2A-2 engines on the E-6B.


Close in on the front of the E-6B.


One of the E-6B crew talks about the plane to air show patrons.


Engine intake on a U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier. Do NOT stand here when the engine is running.


What's this? A commercial airliner? Passengers board one of several daily flights on Canadair RJ jets from Columbia to Memphis. Columbia has really moved up in the world - no more turbo-props!


Another P-51 Mustang, the "Tuskegee Airman", being towed back in after a stunning demonstration. Her pilot is the smiling gentleman in the flight suit. I'd be smiling too if I just had the chance to fly that plane.


A member of the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, known as "The Skyhawks", returns to Earth after jumping at 6,000 feet.


Three Skyhawks trail smoke as they fly in formation.


Another Skyhawk trailing the POW-MIA flag.


A Skyhawks banner. Thank you to our Canadian allies for providing more wonderful demonstrations.


A Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules taxis after landing. Today's mission was to take the Skyhawks up to 6,000 feet for their demonstrations.


Smoke from the AeroShell Aerobatic Demonstration Team blows across the tarmac. Luckily, the smoke didn't smell as bad as I thought it might.
For more information on the aircraft featured in this post, please visit the following:

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