Travis showcases mobility at air expo

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shaun Emery
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  More than 150,000 pairs of eyes looked to the sky and witnessed aerial acts from across the country performing at the 2008 Travis Air Expo at Travis Air Force Base Aug. 30 and 31. 

Headlining the air expo were the USAF Thunderbirds, the Air Force's official aerial demonstration team. Their precise formations and overwhelming power brought smiles and awe from the on-looking crowd. 

The audience was also treated to performances from a Navy FA-18 Hornet, an A-10 Thunderbolt and Travis' very own heavy-lifters, the C-17 Globemaster III, C-5 Galaxy and KC-10 Extender refueling aircraft. 

Civilian performances wowed the crowd with their twists, turns, loops and hair-raising dives. Bringing their aerobatic skills to the crowd were performers such as: Melissa Andrzejewski and her Edge 540 Aircraft, Tim Decker, Eddie Andreini and Paul Lopez. 

Air show spectators got an up close and personal look at not only Travis' airframes but many others, including the F-16 Eagles, F-15 Fighting Falcon, C-130 Hercules, a U2 spy plane, a B-29 Superfortress as well as WWII era ground vehicles, and equipment used by military and civilian law enforcement. 

The big airlifters were the favorite part for many of the air show spectators. Alexander Anicete, 6, and Cooper Stewart, 6, pretended to take control of the large aircraft. 

"The cockpit was my favorite," Alexander said. 

"I liked sitting in the C-5 co-pilot's seat," added Cooper. 

"We used come out to Travis pre- Sept. 11, so we really appreciate the chance to come out here again," said Cooper's mother Bridget. 

While current and future aerial capabilities were on display, the thousands on hand, Aug. 30, were witnesses to the final flight of a historic part of air mobility's past. The last flying C-133A Cargomaster made its final landing, where it was retired and will go on permanent display at the site of the new Jimmy Doolittle Air Museum. The C-133 flew at Travis from 1958 until its departure in 1971. 

"It was a tremendous event," said Master Sgt. Terry Juran, Travis Air Museum director. "This aircraft meant so much to the pilots and crews that worked on it. The C-133 played a major role in airlift during its time in the Air Force. Now we have a chance to honor it and those Airmen associated with it." 

From the initial meetings setting up the air show to the final FOD walk Sunday night, members of Team Travis came together to put on the best possible show for the crowds. 

"This was a well-planned, well-exercised and well-executed air show," said Col. Mark Dillon, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander. "I want to give kudos to Maj. Richard Parrotte, air expo director, the air show planning staff and all the members of Team Travis who took the time over the weekend to support the event, for their hard work." 

With the Thunderbirds on their way back to Nellis AFB, Nev. Sunday, the C-17 served as the final performance of the weekend. 

"Everything really came together," said Maj. Richard Parrotte, air expo director. "The entire base got behind this project and through teamwork, made it happen. We also can't thank enough our partners from around the county. We couldn't have done it without them.