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!
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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.
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Approaching a P-3 Orion stationed at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL.
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P-3 Orion.
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The business end of an A-10 Thunderbolt II. Under normal circumstances, avoid at all cost.
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One of two engines on the A-10.
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Folded wing of the Douglas A-1 Skyraider.
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Cowling on the Skyraider.
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A beautiful P-51 Mustang.
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Another beautiful plane, the North American B-25 Mitchell Bomber.
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Tailgunner section on the B-25.
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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.
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Rear of the E-6B.
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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.
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Engine intake on a U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier. Do NOT stand here when the engine is running.
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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.
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A member of the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, known as "The Skyhawks", returns to Earth after jumping at 6,000 feet.
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Three Skyhawks trail smoke as they fly in formation.
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Another Skyhawk trailing the POW-MIA flag.
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A Skyhawks banner. Thank you to our Canadian allies for providing more wonderful demonstrations.
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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.
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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: