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Welcome to our redesigned environmentally friendly April May 2013 online issue of The Magazine by
www.AirShowsReview.com.

The2013NorthAmericanairshowseasonwillbeverydifferenttoallofuswhencomparedtothepastyears.
DuetohugebudgetcutsbytheU.S.CongressthattookeffectasofMarch1,theschedulesforjustaboutall
airshowshavebeenturnedupsidedownforcingmanycancellationsandscramblingtoreplacetheU.S.mili
taryparticipationatmanyvenues.

OnMarch1,theAirForceissuedapressreleaseexplainingchangesthatitwasmakingtonormaloperations
toaccommodatesequestrationbudgetcuts.Thereleasesaid,inpart,Effectivetoday,activeduty,Reserve
andGuardunitswillceaseallaviationsupporttothepublic.Thisincludesthecancellationofsupporttoall
air shows, tradeshows, flyovers (including funerals and military graduations), orientation flights, heritage
flights,F22demonstrationflightsandopenhouses,unlesstheeventincludesonlylocalstaticassets.Addi
tionally,theAirForcewillcanceltheThunderbirdsentire2013seasonbeginningApril1.

OnMarch2,theNavymadepublicaninternalmemosentonMarch1bySecretaryoftheNavyRayMabus
toallNavyandMarineunits.Thatmemosaid,inpart,Wewillalsoimmediatelyannounceintenttocancel
BlueAngelsshowsscheduledforApril2013.(Note:ThoughtheNavysecretarysmemosaidthattheNavy
would,immediatelyannounceintenttocancelBlueAngelsshowsscheduledforApril2013,theNavyhas
notyetdonesoandshowsscheduledtohosttheBlueAngelsinAprilarestillpreparinguntilformallynotified
otherwise.) This appears to leave open the possibility that the team may begin practicing and performing
againifsequestrationcutsareundoneorrolledback.

IhatetobethebearerofbadnewsbuttomeitlooksliketherewillbenoThunderbirds,BlueAngels,ACC
singleshipdemonstrationteamsoranyU.S.militaryaircraftparticipationatairshows!Thedraconiancut
willchangeairshows,andIsuspectalotlesspeoplewillattend,andthatwillhaveaneconomicimpactfor
localitieswheretheseeventsareheld.FornowEuropeandtheFarEastshowswillnotbesodrasticallyaf
fectedbythenotedchanges.AlthoughtheSwiss"PatrouilleSuisse"aerobaticteamwillbeonthechopping
blockby2016too.

Weat The Magazine havetoadapttonewrealitiesandwewillbringmoreaviationrelatedarticlessuchas

museumandifwecanacoupleofbasevisitstoointheforthcomingmonths.Weaddedadditionalphotogra
pherstoexpandourcoverageandtoattendandreviewasmanyeventsaswecan!

PublisherandEditor:ASRMediaLLC
The Magazine is published 6 times a year and it is available for a free download
fromourwebsitewww.AirShowsReview.com.Pleasenotewedonotacceptanyun
solicitedarticlesorimagesforpublication.

Advertising:
PleasecontactG.E.DeVries,AdvertisingManagerg.e.devries@msn.com

Contributingphotographers:
Canada:SteveHornetBigg
USA:RicardovonPuttkammer,DanAdams,JoeOsciak,StefanSeville,NormanGraf,
AaronRumfallo
Europe:PeterThivessen,WolfgangJarisch,RayPace,PaulKolbe,MicheleGiardini
FarEast:TakeshiShinoda,YoshiakiWakana

Ifyouareinterestedinbecomingoneofourcontributors,haveaDSLRcamera,capa
bleoftakingqualityimages,arelocatedinRussia,Australia,JapanorAsiafeelfreeto
contact us: editor@airshowsreview.com Please note: none of our staff are paid,
they all are volunteers and are responsible for all costs that occur to attend air
shows.

Copyright2013ASRMediaLLC.TheMagazinemaynotbeedited,orsoldwith
out prior written consent. However, you are free to distribute it at for at no
charge, as long as it is back linked to our site. All trade names, trademarks,
manufacturernames,photographicimagesandtextualworksusedinthispubli
cation, are the property of their respective owners. While ASR Media LLC.,
strivesforfactualreportingofeventsASRMediaLLC.,isnotresponsibleforthe
accuracy of the content or for the opinions expressed by authors of their re
spectivearticlesandreports.

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The National Museum of the Marine Corps is a sprawling 135acre tribute to more than 200 years of Marine
Corps history adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico (Virginia). Strikingly visible from the main NorthSouth
artery of Interstate 95, the museums soaring design evokes the image of the iconic flag raising on Iwo Jima.
EveryinchofthemuseumanditsgroundsisamonumenttotheMarinescredoSemperFidelis,AlwaysFaith
ful,asitstandsasatestamenttothebravery,serviceandsacrificeoftheMarineCorps.Sinceopeningin2006,
1.7millionvisitorshavetakeninthesightsandsoundsofthemuseum,whichisdirectlyassociatedwiththeMa
rines.

Uponenteringthe120,000squarefootmuseum,oneisimmediatelygreetedwithworldclassexhibitsthatin
cludeinteractivedisplaysandactualMarineCorpsequipment,uniformsandotherhistoricalitems.Themuseum
ishometoover60,000artifactsthatchronicletheMarineshistoryfrom1775tothepresentday.Theequip
mentincludeseverythingfromweaponsusedbytheUSMCthroughouttheirhistorytoaHarrierjumpjetand
F4Ucorsairhangingfromtheceiling.SeveraldisplaysincludelifelikemannequinsinauthenticUSMCgearinac
tionalongsidetanksandhelicopters,givingvisitorsthefeelingofbeingwithinthesceneandonthebattlefield.

ThethoughtfullayoutofthemuseumtakesvisitorsonapaththatoutlinesthehistoryoftheMarinesfromthe
American Revolution, through WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam and other recent conflicts up through the Global
WaronTerror.Beforetakingthispath,however,onepassesthroughtheMakingMarinesexhibitwhichpro
videstheviewpointofnewrecruitsastheyareconfrontedbysterndrillinstructorswhoeventuallymoldthem
intoelitewarriors.

Throughoutthemuseum,handsonexhibitsprovideaglimpseintothelivesofMarinesfromthenewestrecruits
steppingoffofbusesinbootcamptoMarinesfightingduringtheRevolution,duringthesiegeatKheSahnorin
theBattleofFallujah.AcrossthemuseumslushgroundsisSemperFidelisMemorialpark,withmonumentsto
thebravery,serviceandsacrificeofallMarines.

TheNationalMuseumoftheMarineCorpsisopenfrom9:00AMto
5:00PMeverydayexceptChristmasDayandadmissionisfree.The
museumhasanexcellentstoreforMarinethemedgiftsormemen
tos and has two options for dining, Tun Tavern and the Devil Dog
Diner.Themuseumhostsmanyspecialexhibitsthroughouttheyear
sotogetthemostoutofyourvisititisadvisabletocheckthemu
seumswebsiteatwww.usmcmuseum.com.

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ThevisittotheAirMaltaMaintenancehangarwasorganisedbytheAircraftOwnersandPilotsAssociationMaltaonThurs
day15thNovember2012.AOPAisavoluntary,nonprofitmakingorganisationwhichconstantlyworkstosafeguardthein
terestsofpilotsandaircraftownersinvolvedinGeneralAviationinMaltaandisamemberofIAOPA,theinternationalchap
terofAOPA.

ThevisitwasoneofaseriesthatAOPAMaltaorganisesthroughouttheyearforitsmembers.Tofurtherenrichinterestin
theaviationsector,AOPAhavethisyearintroducedanaffiliatemembershipschemeforaviationenthusiasts.

MeetingplacewasatAOPAsHQonPark1,where,afterwewereeachgivensometokenscourtesyofAirMaltaandaviation
magazinescourtesyofAOPA,wewerebriefedaboutthevisitbyourguide,AirMaltaFirstOfficerandcommitteemember
MarcoLucia.LaterweboardedanAirMaltacoachinpouringraintoPark8wheretheMaintenancehangarislocated.

Ashadbeenbriefed,insidethehangarwefoundtheAirMaltaAirbusA320214,registrationnumber9HAEFwhichwasthe
firstNewAirbustogoinservicein2004.Wewitnessedthefinalworkofanongoingmaintenanceprogrammeontheaircraft.
TheaircraftreturnedtoAirMaltasschedulelastsummeraftertheairlineitwasleasedto,OLTceasedoperationsdueto
bankruptcy.9HAEFisnowduetodeparttoSouthAmericaattheendofthemonthonashortlease.

MrLuciatookusthroughandskilfullyexplainedthevariouscomponentsoftheaircraftandansweredthemanyquestions
askedbythosepresent.Formostofus,thiswasthefirstevercloseencounterwiththeengineeringsideofapassengerair
craft.

Marco started by showing us the static wicks and explained that as the aircraft flies through the air, it builds up a static
chargeduetothefrictionoftheairandmoisturewhichinreturnneedstobedischarged,andthemethodusedisadischarge
throughthestaticwicks,knownasstaticdischargers.

Nextwasanexplanationregardingthelandinggear.Thelandinggearconsistsoftwomaingears(whichretractinwards)and
onenosegear(whichretractsforward).Theretractingsystemiselectricallycontrolledbuthydraulicallyoperatedandcon
trolled by two LGCIU (Landing Gear Control and Interface Unit) computers. The nose wheel steering is controlled by the
BSCU(BrakeandSteeringControlUnit).Whenitisoperatedfromtheflightdeck,itcanbesteeredthroughanangleof75
degrees.Therudderpedalscanmovethenosewheelthroughamuchsmallerangleastheyareusuallyonlyutilisedduring
takeoffandlanding.

Thenosewheelhas4lightunits,twoofwhichareturnofflightswhichlighteithersideoftheaircrafttoaidexitingfromrun
ways,whilsttheothertwoareataxilightandatakeofflightusedduringtherespectivephasesofflight.Thepowerfulland
ing lights which are mounted on the inboard wing are flush during the cruise, but are usually lowered when flying below
FL100.Theyareusedalsowhentheaircraftisrequiredtobehighlyvisible,forexampleduringTCASavoidingactionwhenit
isimperativethattheotheraircraftestablishesvisualcontactasearlyaspossible.

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Duringtowing,theaircraftisnormallypoweredbytheAPU.Thiscanprovidebothelectricityandbleedair.
TheAPUusesabout50kgsoffuelperhour,butthisvariesdependingontheloadbeingdemandedonit.A
numberofsuppliersarenowworkingondevelopingelectricalsystemsfortaxiwhichwillsignificantlyreduce
costsastheengineseachburnabout300kgsperhourjustidling.Therearevarioussystemsinthepipeline,
somewillbeattachedtothemaingearswhilstothersareattachedtothenosewheel.

TheRAT(RamAirTurbine)isautomaticallydeployedwhenrequiredtoprovidehydraulicorelectricalpower.
Shouldthesystemnotdeployautomatically,itcanbedeployedbythepilots.TheRATgiveslimitedsupplyto
thecriticalsystemsoftheaircrafttoenableasafelanding.

Inside the cabin, Marco explained changes which could beadopted on the aircraft after returning from its
leasesoastoincreasepassengercapacityby3seats.ThiswouldinvolveshiftingofoneoftherearWCsto
thebackgalleyandrelocationofpartofthesamegalley.

Weweretoldandshownwhatisnormallydonewhentheaircraftwouldrequiretocarryastretcher.9seats
havetoberemovedbeforetheflighttocaterforthestretcherandthemedicalteamaccompanyingthepa
tient.Apartfromstretchercases,AirMaltaalsogivesthepossibilityofutilisinganincubator.Inthiscasea
row(3seats)isphysicallyremovedandthespecialincubatorisanchoredtotheaircraft'sfloor.Thisisaone
ofakindincubatorwhichAirMalta'sengineeringteambuiltfromscratch.

Marcoshowedusthelocationoftheoxygentanksandthenumberofmasksineachrowandexplainedthat
Thecrewoxygenmasksarefullfacemaskswhichenablethepilotstofunctioneveninheavysmokecondi
tions.Itsuppliesoxygenfromapressurizedcylinderwithamixtureofoxygenfromthistankandambientair.
Iffumesarepresent,thepilotcanchoosetohaveairsuppliedunderpressurethuseliminatingtheambient
airandconsequentialriskofincapacitation.

WewerethentakenintothecockpitinpairsandMarcopatientlyexplainedtheequipmentfoundthereand
thegoingonsbefore,duringandafteraflight.Whilstthiswasbeingdone,tooursurpriseandpleasure,we
wereinformedthattheaircraftwasgoingtobetowedoutfromthehangartoaparkingspaceonPark8since
itwasdueforaflightlaterintheevening.

Afterthevisit,wewereagaintakenbycoachtotheAOPAHQonceagaininpouringrain.IaskedMarcoon
hisimpressionregardingthevisitandparticipationandherepliedIthinkthatparticipationwasverygood,
withmanyinterestingquestionsbeingasked.

IwouldliketothankAOPA,AirMaltaandMr.MarcoLuciaformakingthisvisitpossible.
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FairchildC123KProvider

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TheRoyalThaiAirForceMuseumwasestablishedin1952inBangkok,thecapitalofThailand,withthepurposeofcollectingand
restoringdefensearticlesofdifferentperiods,includingequipmentandaircraftinuseduringtheearlyperiodofThaiaviationhis
toryuptothepresent.

AviationinThailandhasaninterestinghistorydatingbackto1911,whentheBelgianpilotCharlesVanDenBorndisplayedthefirst
aircraftinSiamattheSaPathumHorseRacingCourse.TheSiameseauthoritieswereimpressedenoughthaton28February1912
theydispatchedthreeofficerstolearntoflyinFrance,themaincenterofaviationdevelopmentofthetime.Whiletheywerein
training, the Ministry of War ordered four Nieuport monoplanes (Nieuport IIN and Nieuport IVG) and three Breguet biplanes
(BreguetIII)fromFrance.LaterafourthBreguetIIIwasdonatedtotheMinistryofWar,bringingthenumbertoeightaircraftand
establishingoneoftheearliestairforcesofAsia.OnMarch27,1915,theAviationSectionwasorganizedastheArmyFlyingCorps.
TheRoyalThaiAirForcecelebratesthisdateasAirForceMemorialDay.

Themuseumconsistoffivebuildingandwithanoutdoordisplayareawithapproximately50aircraft.Insidethebuildingsonecan
findseveralrareaircraftingoodcondition:oneofonly2survivingJapaneseTachikawaKi36trainers,thelastsurvivingVoughtO2U
Corsair,oneof3survivingCurtissBF2CGoshawks.Whileintheoutdoorareatheyvaryfromacceptabletochoppedupcorroding
wrecks.Admissionisfree,andifyouareinBangkok,itiswellworththevisit.Mr.Shinoda,ourFarEastcorresponded,visitedthe
museumonNovember2012,andtooktheimagesappearinghere.

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TachikawaKi36aboveandbelow.

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TheMarineCorpsAirStationMiramarAirShowattractswelloverhalfamillionvisitorseveryyearandwasvoted
theWorldsBestMilitaryAirShowbyICASin2007.Thesuccessofthiseventrestsinnosmallpartonoutreachto
andinteractionwiththemedia.OnThursday,October11,2012,rightbeforethethreedayairshowbegan,ASRMe
diawasprivilegedtoattendtheMediaDayactivities.

ThedaybeganbeforedawnunderacrescentmoonandbrightJupiter.Afterassemblinginaparkinglotoutsidethemain
gate,mediacredentialswerecheckedbyflashlight.Onceeveryonehadarrived,instructionsweregivenonhowtopro
ceedandweheadedofftotheflightlineinaconvoy.ThereweweregreetedbySpecialEventsManagerDeniseFairbanks
whobriefedusonthemorningsactivities.Thehighlightofthedaywasflightsprovidedbymostofthecivilianperformers
formedia,sponsors,donorsandMarines.Aircraftrangedfromtheusualtrainersandwarbirdstomoremodernmounts
suchastheBeechcraftT6AandthePatriotJetTeamsL39.ChuckAaronwasevengivingflightsintheRedBullHelicop
ter!Oversixtyflightswerescheduledintwodozenaircraftinthreewaves,alllaidoutwithmilitaryprecisionontheBig
Board.Everyonerushedtoseewithwhomtheyhadbeenpaired.IwasscheduledtogoupinaT34AMentorinthedawn
patrolat0800.Butfirsttherewasanopportunitytomeetwithmanyoftheperformers.TheHyattRegencyprovideda
wonderfulbuffetanditwasnicetomeetupwithfamiliarfacesandmeetnewpeopleoveraheartybreakfast.

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Soon mynamewascalledandIrushedovertomeetmyassignedpilot;IwouldbeflyingwithJohn"Flipper"
FlippeninhisT34.Afteraquickbriefingtoinformmeoftheflightplanandsomebasicsafetyproceduresto
followontheactiverunway,weproceededtohisbeautifulMentor,paintedinbrightyellowNAVYmarkings.I
foundoutthatwewouldbeflyinginformationwithanotherMentor,paintedinUSAFmarkings,pilotedby
hisbrotherDan.Icouldhardlywait,butlistenedcloselyandattentivelytothefinalbriefingbeforeclimbing
intotherearcockpitandstrappingin.Aquickcheckoftheradioheadsetwasfollowedbytheclosingofthe
canopy.Theairtrafficcontrollerquicklyhadustaxiingontotheactiverunwayandthenwewereairborne,
wingtiptowingtipwithDanFlippenandhisluckybackseatpassenger.Ihadexpectedafairlycalmandsedate
flight,butFlipperflewanaggressiveseriesofmaneuvers,bankingtightlyaswemadeseveralpassesover
therunway,includingoneverylowpasswiththesmokeon.Danflewformationthewholetime.Thevisibility
intheMentorisverygoodandtheviewofMCASMiramar,especiallytheairshowflightlinewasspectacular.
IalternatedbetweensqueezingoffasmanyphotosasIcouldwithjustlookingaroundinalldirectionsand
enjoyingtheview.Thelastpassovertherunwayendedwithahardbreak,theaccelerationforcingmedeep
intomyseatandthesteepbankmomentarilydisorientingme.ButjustasquicklyIsawrunway24Rappear
overJohnsleftshoulderjustbeforehelevelledoffandnailedthelanding.TheATChustledusofftherun
way,andjustlikethatmyfirstMentorflighthadended.
Whatathrill!

Anumberoftheprint,radioandTVmedialeftimmediatelyaftertheirflightstofiletheirreports.Many
ofthemwouldbeseen,heardorreadthatdayoreveningbythemillionsofresidentsoftheSanDiego
metropolitanarea.Gettingthewordoutabouttheweekendsairshowis,afterall,theprimarygoalofthe
MediaDay.However,withsomanymediaflightsoccurring,andmanyofthemilitaryperformersandstatic
display aircraft arriving, I remained to enjoy the flying and take a few extra photos. Before long I was ap
proached by Denise Fairbanks asking if I had already gone up in a flight. After hearing that I had and how
muchIhadenjoyeditsheaskedWanttogoupagain?IcouldntsayYes!fastenoughandwithenough
emphasis.IwasveryshortlysenttomeetJimOstrichwhowasprovidingmediaflightsinaC45HExpeditor
fromtheWarbirdsWestAirMuseum.

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It,too,waspaintedupinbrightNAVYmarkings:white,greyandinternationalorangemarkingsfrom
Manila.Oneofhispassengershadfailedtoshowupandheverygraciouslyofferedtoaddmetohis
group.Inadditiontomedia,sponsorsanddonors,Marineswerealsobeinggiventheopportunityto
takerides.Despiteclaimsofhavingbeenvoluntold(i.e.toldtovolunteer),alloftheMarineswith
which I spoke were truly deserving and relished the opportunity to go up in something other than
militaryissueequipment.IwasjoiningSergeantWalmsley,SergeantDecarneyandCorporalPageon
thisflight.AlsoonboardwasJosSurezValdez,directorofEnElAire,aMexicanaviationwebsite.We
climbed aboard, settled in and were soon taxiing in formation with John Collver in his AT6 Texan
WarDog.ThisflightwasmorestraightandlevelthantheMentorflight,butweflewfartherafield,
passingoverpartsofthecityandremotepartsofMCASMiramar.Wemadeafewpassesoverthe
basebeforebreakingsharplytoland.

Backontheground,Ibusiedmyselfonceagaintakingphotosoftheincomingaircraft,watchingthe
massiveE6BMercurythreaditswaycarefullythroughtherowsofparkedaircraftandbeingamazed
atthewaytheMarinepilotmanoeuvredhisAH1ZSuperCobraintoplacewithseeminglyonlyinches
tospare.PeripherallyIheardsomeonenearbycountingoutfour,fiveandsix.Lookingover,Isaw
someonepointingatme.Lookingmoreclosely,IsawExecutiveSweetmonogrammedonhispolo
shirt.ItwasJohn"Weebs"Wiebener,pilotoftheB25MitchellofthatnamefromtheAmericanAero
nautical Foundation in Camarillo, CA. Three Marines had been overlooked during the mornings
scheduledflightsandJohninsistedonmakinganotherflighttotakethemupbeforetheflightwindow
closed. With three remaining spots, he simply looked around and picked an additional three lucky
passengers. Id been voluntold! While waiting for final flight preparations, John gave us a safety
briefingandfilledusinonthehistoryoftheaircraft.AretiredUSAFLtColonel,heflewF16soverIraq
duringDesertStormandisacurrentFedExpilot,butitwasclearthatflyingthiswarbirdwassome
thingspecialforhim.Seatswereassignedandweallclimbedaboardwherewewereissuedearpro
tection.Wewerewarneditwasgoingtobeloud.IcouldntbelievethatIwasseatedrightbehindthe
cockpit.Althoughwewereassignedseatsfortakeoff,wewouldbeallowedtomovearoundduring
theflight,walking(orcrawling)fromstationtostation.Aquickthumbsupandwewereonourway,
thetwoWrightR260013DoubleCyclonefourteencylinderaircooledradials,ratedat1700hpeach
fortakeoff,thunderingnoisily,eventhroughtheheadsets.Thelandinggearcameupwithareassur
ing clunk. Upon reaching level flight, the copilot signalled that we were free to move about the
plane.Istooduptolookoutthedorsalturret.Theoriginalplanhadcalledforaflightouttothecoast,
downtothecityandthenreturning,butbythistimetheweatherhadturned,itbegantorainandwe
wereinformedthattheflightwouldbecutshort.
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CorporalPage,SergeantWalmsley,SergeantDecarney,Norman,JosSurezValdezandJimOstrich,abovelefttoright.
ViewfromC45HExpeditor,filmstripleftmiddle.
TaxiingwiththeAT6TexanWarDogbelow.

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Iimmediatelycrawleddownandforwardintothebombardiersstationinthenose.Theviewthrough
thePlexiglasglazingwasspectacular.Icouldhavestayedtherefortherestoftheflight,butquickly
departedtoallowotherstoalsoenjoytheexperience.Intherearoftheaircraftthesidewindowhad
been removed, providing an unobstructed view of the sprawling base below us. Just as I began to
crawlbacktothereargunnersstationtheklaxonsounded,informingusthatwewouldbelanding
soonandtotakeourseats.Alltoosoonwewerebackontherunway.Thepoundingrainsoundedlike
thousandsofballpeenhammersbangingawayonthefuselage.IthankedWeebsandthecrewonce
againandmademywayovertothemediaarea,whichwasbynowdeserted.Withtheweatherwors
eningandtheactivitiesatanenditwastimetocallitaday.Butwhataday!

MajCarlRedding,PublicAffairsDirector,hasmadeamazingthingshappen,andASRMediawouldlike
tosincerelythankhimandallthemembersofhisteam(particularly1stLtJoseNegreteandCplSteven
Posy)forafantasticandmemorableexperienceduringthisMediaDay.Wewouldalsoliketothank
SpecialEventsManagerDeniseFairbanksandMarketingSpecialistJenniferShortfortheirefforts.We
cantthankthesponsorsandthedonorsofthemediaflightsenough;itwasafantasticexperience.
Finally,wewouldliketothankalltheMarines,volunteersandperformersatMCASMiramarformak
ingtheAirShowsuchasuccess.

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RedFlagwasbornin1975asawaytoimprovetheeffectivenessofairforcepilotsandweaponssystemsoffi
cersduringaircombatmanoeuvres(ACM).IntheVietnamWar,thekilltolossratiowas2to1.IntheKo
reanconflictthelossratiowasmuchlower,forevery10enemyaircraftdestroyedtherewasoneAmerican
aircraftlost.Todaythe414thCombatTrainingSquadronisinchargeofplanningandcontrollingthistraining.
Itsmissionistomaximizethecombatreadinessandsurvivabilityofaircrewsparticipatingintheexercise.

Thecommanderofthe414thCombatTrainingSquadron,ColonelTodFingal,disclosedinhisbriefingthatfor
thisRedFlagtherewere119aircraft,2,700deployedpersonnel,17unitsandparticipationoftheairforces
fromUnitedStates,theNetherlands,Sweden,Singapore,UnitedArabEmirates,andtheUnitedStatesNavy.

TheparticipatingunitscomposetheBlueforces,whereasthe64thandthe65thAggressorSquadronsfrom
the57thAdversaryTacticsGroupmakeuptheRedForces.DuringtheexercisetheBlueForcesflyairinter
diction,closeairsupport,defensivecounter,dynamictargetingandaircombatsearchandrescuemissions.
TheRedforcestrytostoptheBlueforcesfromachievingitsgoalsbydeployingcurrenttacticsusedbyhostile
airforcesthroughouttheworld.

ThesewargamesareplayedoutinthevastareanorthofLasVegasontheNevadaTestandTrainingRange
(NTTR)with2.9millionacresoflandand12,000squaremilesofairspace,withmanysmallrangesofmoun
tainswithdesertinbetween.Thisistheperfectareafortrainingofthissortsinceitisawayfrompopulation,
whichallowsformorerealisticscenarios.

NellisAirForceBaseisalsohomeofthe547thIntelligenceSquadronanditsThreatSystemsYardwithavast
arrayofSovieteraequipmentincludingaMig23,aMig29,Mil24andvariousgroundtoairweaponsand
supportingequipment.Itsmissionistotrainairmenandjointservicepersonnelonadversaryweaponssys
tems.

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ThefollowingwereparticipantsofRedFlag132

23rdWing,41stRescueSquadronHH60s,MoodyAFB,Georgia.
23rdWing,71stRescueSquadronHC130s,MoodyAFB,Georgia
UnitedStatesNavy,VFA25F18Es,NASLemoore,California.
UnitedStatesNavy,VAQ138EA18GGrowlers,NASWhidbeyIsland,Washington.
366thFighterWing,389thFighterSquadronF15Es,Mountain.HomeAFB,Idaho.
57thWing,64thAggressorsSquadronF16Cs,NellisAFB,Nevada.
552ndAirCombatWing,960thAirborneAirControlSquadronE3s,TinkerAFB,Oklahoma.
22ndAirRefuellingWing,KC135s,McConnellAFB,Kansas.
57thWing,65thAggressorsSquadronF15Cs,NellisAFB,Nevada.
138thFighterWing,125thFighterSquadronF16s,Tulsa,Oklahoma.
2ndBombWing,20thBombSquadronB52s,BarksdaleAFB,Louisiana.
7thBombWing,9thBombSquadronB1s,DyessAFB,Texas.
52ndFighterWing,480thFighterSquadronF16CJs,SpangdahlemAFB,Germany.
BlekingeWingF17,JAS39CGripen,Ronneby,Sweden
425thFighterSquadron,F16CSingaporeAirForce,LukeAFB,Arizona.
323rdSquadron,F16AMRoyalNetherlandsAirForce,LeeuwardenAB,Netherlands.
76thSquadron,Mirage20009EAD,UnitedArabEmiratesAirForce,AlDhafraAB,UnitedArabEmirates.

TheSwedishAirForcebrought8JAS39CGripentothisRedFlag.Forthislongmissiontheyrequired2USAF
KC10forrefuelling.Theymade2stopsontheway,Azores,PortugalandMaine.Thetotaltriptookabout
fivedaysand15flyinghours.InpreviousRedFlagparticipation,uptoeightstopswererequired.Thiswas
thefirsttimethattheSwedishAirForceusedaerialrefuellingforaRedFlagtrip.

WhileinsideNellisAirForceBasethereweresomerestrictionsonwhatwasallowedtobephotographed:no
photoswereallowedoftheUAEMirage2000s,ofanycockpitsofanyaircraft,closeupofmunitions,anyon
goingmaintenance,etc.Standardproceduresatmostactiveairbaseswehadvisitedinthepast.Althoughwe
founditquiteinterestingthattherewasarestrictionplacedontheUAEMirages2000s,asmanyphotogra
phersweresnappingawayatallthejets,outsidethepremises.Witha600mmlensorbetteronecouldtake
closeupshotsofthemtakingoffandlanding.

ASRMediawouldliketothankCol.TodFingal,RedFlagCommander,LieutenantColonelAndersSegerby,F
17WingCommanderandA1CTimothyYoungfrompublicaffairs.

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57thWing,64thAggressorsSquadronF16CtakingoffandanA10fromthe355thFighterWing,358FSonthetarmac,
above.OurreporterRicardo,below.Col.TodFingalexplainsRedFlagtothemedia,left.

INDEX

Page 35

F15Cofthe57thWing,withLasVegasinthebackground
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INDEX

Page 37

57thWing,64thAggressorsSquadronF16CBlekingeWingF17,JAS39CGripen,Ronneby,Sweden323rdSquadron,F16AMRoyalNetherlandsAirForceUSNVAQ-138 EA-18G Growler

57thWing,64thAggressorsSquadronF16C

425th Fighter Squadron, F-16D Singapore Air Force, Luke AFB

552nd Air Combat Wing 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3

23rdWing,41stRescueSquadronHH60inthebackgroundwithanF16Cfromthe138thFighterWingoftheOklahomaAirNationalGuard
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Page 39

drone.Surroundingitareotherhistoricallysignificantaircraftfromdifferenteras.Theseinclude:aBellUH
1HthatsawserviceinVietnam,aBoeingModel80A1,aDouglasDC3,aDouglasA4FSkyhawkthatflewas
#4withBlueAngels,anF4CPhantomthatshotdownthreeNorthVietnameseMiG21s,arareTaylorAero
car(acarthatcouldtransformintoanairplaneandback)anddozensmoreincredibleaircraft.Themuseum
has a significant spacecraft collection that includes the first production Apollo Command Module that was
deliveredtoNASAfortestingandtraining.

The museum also has large galleries housing significant aircraft from both World Wars including a Curtis
Jenny,theCaproniCa.20,SopwithCamel,SPADXIIIandthreedifferentNieuports(24bis,27and28C.1)from
WW1andaP51DMustang,P38Lightning,P47 Thunderbolt,SupermarineSpitfireandMesserschmittBF
109fromWW2.

Themuseumsairparkisanoutdoorarea(plansareinplacetoencloseitinthenearfuture)wherethemu
seumslargeraircraftareondisplayincludingBoeingsprototype747SpiritofEverett.The747isavailable
fortoursinJune.AlsoondisplayisthefirstproductionBoeing737.Firstflownin1967,theaircraftlaterbe
cameNASAsTransportSystemsResearchVehicleandremainsinNASAlivery.Thecenterpieceoftheair
parkisaformerAirForceOneBoeingVC137B(SAM970).Theaircraftisopentothepublicandcontains
manyartifactsfromthepresidentsitcarriedincludingEisenhower,Kennedy,JohnsonandNixon.

Asmanyaviationenthusiastsknow,SeattleholdsaspecialplaceinaviationhistoryasthebirthplaceofBoe
ing.ItshouldcomeasnosurprisethenthatSeattleisalsothehomeofoneofthelargestairandspacemuse
umsintheworld.Establishedin1965andlocatedatBoeingField(KingCountyAirport)justsouthofdown
town Seattle, the museum has over 150 historically significant aircraft and spacecraft and attracts over
500,000visitorseachyear.Itisamustseedestinationforanyonetravelingtoorthroughthearea.

Themuseumishometomanyuniqueandrareaircraft.Itscollectionincludestheworldsfirstfighterplane
(Caproni Ca.20), the first jet Air Force One, the prototype 747, a Lockheed M21 (CIA version of the SR71
Blackbird)andtheWestCoastsonlyConcorde,justtonameafew.Inaddition,themuseumsCharlesSi
monyiSpaceGalleryhousesNASAsSpaceShuttleTrainerCrewCompartmentwhichwasawardedtothemu
seumasNASAendedits30yearSpaceShuttleprogram.Thetrainerisafullscaleshuttlemockupthatwas
usedtotrainallSpaceShuttleastronauts.WhileothermuseumsnationwidereceivedactualretiredSpace
Shuttles,theMuseumofFlightstraineristheonlywaymembersofthepubliccanexploretheinsideofthe
SpaceShuttle.Toursarelimitedto6participantsatatimeandlast30minutes.Thereisaseparatefeefor
thetourandadvancepurchaseisavailableonline.

Themainhallofthemuseumhousesahugevarietyofaircraft.Thecenterpieceofthemainexhibitisthe
worldsonlysurvivingLockheedM21(SerialNo.606940)completewithaLockheedD21reconnaissance
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Page 41

The airpark also includes the West Coasts only Concorde (former British Airways GBOAG), a 727223 in
AmericanAirlinesliveryandanexTransCanadaAirLinesLockheedL1049GSuperConstellation.TheConnie
wasformerlylocatedatTorontoPearsonInternationalAirportandwaspurchasedin2005,asshownbelow.
PhotocourtesyoftheEditor.

Visitors to the museum are able to tour the historic Red Barn which was the Boeing Companys original
manufacturingplantbuiltin1909.Themuseumalsohasareplicacontroltowerthatprovidesvisitorswitha
firsthandviewofairportoperations.TothesideofthemuseumisanactiveBoeingfacilitythatworksonmili
taryversionsofitscommercialaircraft.Duringourvisit,therewasaTurkish737AEW&CandaBoeing757
200thatisusedasatestbedfortheF22savionics.Thereisalwayssomethinginterestingtoseewithinand
aroundthemuseum.

Onemustseethisworldclasscollectionforthemselvestoadequatelyappreciatethebreadthofwhatthismu
seum has to offer. General Admission $18 (Children $10). Open daily from 10am5pm except Thanksgiving
andChristmas.ShuttleTrainerCrewCompartmentTours(Saturday,SundayandHolidaysonly)$30Adult,$25
Child(Membersare$5less)plusthecostofadmission.

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Page 43

Above:TheBoeingLunarRovingVehicleisanengineeringmockupoftheactuallunarroverthatwasusedontheApollomissions.
Below:TheNASAFullFuselageTrainerwasdonatedtothemuseumbyNASAattheconclusionofthe30yearSpaceShuttlepro
gram.EverySpaceShuttleastronauttrainedinthissimulator.
Right:LookingaftfromthepayloadbayoftheFullFuselageTrainerwithanInertialUpperStage(IUS)hoveringoverhead.TheIUSis
usedtoboostpayloadsfromalowEarthorbittoahigherorbit.

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It has been a longstanding tradition in the military aviation community to celebrate a final
flight.Thepilotismetbyfamily,colleaguesandfriendsandishoseddownwithwaterand
dousedwithchampagne.

ASRMediawasprivilegedtobepresentatMajorHenrySchantzsFiniFlightasdemonstra
tionpilotfortheUSAFAirCombatCommandsF22RaptorDemoTeam.Afterhislastflightat
the2012AviationNationAirshowatNellisAFB,Schadowwasmetwithablastfromafire
enginewaterhosemannedbyhiswife,childrenandTeamSuperintendentMasterSergeant
AmbroseBoBrewer.Hewasfurthermoresubjectedtoashoweringbyhisteammateswith
bottlesofsparkling(nonalcoholic)wine.Hewasthencongratulatedbymanyofhisfriends
andfellowairshowparticipantsincludingEdShipley,SteveHintonandDanFriedkinofThe
HorsemenandKevinEldridgewhohadflowntheHeritageFlightwithhimjustpriortothe
celebration.

Icaughtupwithhimafterhehadhadachancetocatchhisbreathanddryoffabit.
EvenafterhavingflowntheF22forsevenandahalfyears,heremainsenthusiasticaboutthe
abilitytoshowofftheaircraftscapabilities.FlyingtheRaptorinthedemohasbeenAMAZ
ING!Askedifthetaskofbeingontheroadwhileperformingatnumerousairshowsduring
theseasonhadbeendifficultforhisfamily,herespondedThegreatpartistheyvebeento
twelve air shows just this year. Theyre out there, theyre supporting me, were having a
blast.Theymadethisassignmentthebest.

HisfinalfastpassaftertheHeritageFlightwasdedicatedtotheDemoTeamandinparticular
toMaintenanceChiefTSgtRyan"Roy"Rogers,whowasleavingtheteamafterthreeyears.
Thoseguysthatworkonthisaircraftarejusttopnotch.Andtobeabletosaythankyou
especiallyonVeteransDaywasaprivilege.VeteransDay:itdoesntgetanybetterthanthat.
Itwasanexceptionaldaytoend.Nothingbettertosayonthatone.

Wheretonext?NoteventheSchadowknows.Whoknows?Thebigpictureistokeepon
flyingtheRaptoruntiltheAirForcetellsmesomethingelsetodoandhaveagrandoldtime.

AsthisissueoftheMagazinegoestopresswehavelearnedthatMajorSchantzparticipated
atTheAustralianInternationalAirShowinAvalon,pleaseseeourreportonpage66.How
ever,becauseofthesequestrationtheF22demoteamwascancelledfortherestoftheyear,
theshowinAvalonwastheoneandonlyairshowperformancefor2013.

Fromltor:TSgtRyanRogers,SSgtSteveSanchez,MajorHenry"Schadow"Schantz,SSgt
JohnLugo,SRAStephenCzubak,andMSgtAmbroseBrewer.

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Page 47

Page 48

INDEX

Page 49

B52H20BSfromBarksdaleAFB,LA,takingofffromNelliswithLasVegasinthebackground.
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Page 51

TypicallyRedFlagexercisesareheldmultipletimeseachyearatbothNellisAFBinNevadaandatElmendorf
AFBinAlaska.TheUSAFandUSNrelyheavilyontheseexercisestobothvalidatethatunitleveltrainingiseffec
tiveatprovidingtheirpeopletheskillstheyneedtodotheirjobandtoprovidelargeforcecombatexperience
thatpreparesthemforthedaytheyarecalledupontoenteracombattheatreandconductmissionswitha
coalitionforce.NotjustAmericanunitswouldsufferwithRedFlagcancellations.Duringits38yearhistoryRed
Flagparticipationhasbenefited28countriesfromaroundtheworldandmorethan440,000militarypersonnel
havetrainedatRedFlagexercises.

OptionstoRedFlagdoexist.YearlyCanadaholdsitsMapleFlagexerciseutilisingtheColdLakeAirWeapons
Range. The range features state of the art instrumentation and the worlds largest unrestricted airspace for
conductingairforceexercisesverysimilartoRedFlaganditalsohasmanyforeignairforcesparticipants.Butit
would seem that beyond the foreseeable future, USAF or USN units wont be attending Maple Flag creating
possibleissuesfortheorganizers.Typically,USAFAggressorSquadronsprovidetheprimaryadversarythreatat
theexercise.Otheraircraftareabletofilltheredairrolebutifthespecialisedtrainingandtacticsoftheaggres
sorsarelosttheleveloftraininggainedwithoutthemisundeniablyreduced.

ButthelossofRedFlagsleveloftrainingdoesnotdeprivejusttheexerciseattendeesofthepotentialexperi
ence a large joint force exercise provides. It has much further reaching and cascading effects. For example,
whileSwedenbrought8oftheirJAS39GripenjetstoRedFlag132,theybroughtatotalof112peopletoex
periencethedeploymenttoaforeignlocationandoperationsaspartofamultiforcecombatenvironment.You
canbetthattheywontallowtheirinvestmentinparticipatinginRedFlagtoonlybenefitthosewhowereable
toattendtheevent.Eachofthepersonnelontheirdeployedteam,fromlogistics,tointel,topilotsandmain
tainers,willalltaketheirlessonslearnedatRedFlagbacktoSwedenandintotheirunitstheretoseethebene
fit of the exercise have a beneficial impact throughout their forces. This all boats rise with the tide effect
holdstrueforbothforeignanddomesticparticipantsatRedFlagmeaningtheef
fectofitscancellationcanbeveryfarreaching.

Time will tell just exactly what additional measures are imple
mentedtograpplewiththefiscalcrisistheUSmilitaryisdealing
with.Butwhenheavilyreducedflyinghoursandthecancellation
of training like that found at Red Flag are a reality, it should take away some of the
stingfeltbyairshowfansandleaveusallmoreconcernedaboutthebiggerimpactmanagingtheUSbudget
willhaveontheabilityoftheUSAF,USNandothercountriesthatutilisetheexercisetodotheirprimaryjob.

ThankyoutotheUnitedStatesAirForceforpermissiontoattendRedFlag132,Col.TodFingal,Commanderof
414thCombatTrainingSquadronRedFlagforhisbriefingandA1CYoung,NellisAFBPublicAffairsforhisassis
tanceinarrangingthevisittocapturetheseimagesatRedFlag.

I hopeyouenjoythesephotosfromRedFlag132,heldinlateJanuary/earlyFebruaryofthisyear,asthey
maybesomeofthelastphotosfromaRedFlagexerciseforaverylongtime.Infact,photosofAmerican
militaryaviationingeneralaregoingtobecomesignificantlymoreelusive,atleastuntiltheendoftheircur
rent fiscal year. Why? At the time of this articles writing, the American military is faced with determining
theircourseofactiontoachieve$46billiondollarsofcutsthatweretriggeredbysequestrationonMarch1st,
2013andforairshowfans,itsgoingtohurt.

Oneofthefirstandalmostimmediatecasualtiesofthecutbacks,wereNorthAmericanairshowfans.The
UnitedStatesAirForceannouncedthateffectiveMarch1stitwillceaseallaviationsupporttothepublic
andspecificallyallThunderbirdsshowsafterApril1st.Presentlytheonlyallowablesupportofpublicshowsis
the presentation of aircraft on static display at their location. A day after the USAF announcement, the
UnitedStatesNavyannouncedthatallBlueAngelsshowsinAprilhavebeencancelled.AdditionalBlueAn
gelscancellationsareexpected.

Whiletherearemanyfantasticforeignmilitaryandcivilianperformersforairshowmanagementtotryand
fillthegapingholesleftintheirshowsbythelackofmilitarysupport,itwontmattermuchinmanycases.
AnnouncementsofthecancellationofsignificantlongrunningairshowsoperatedatmilitarybaseslikeLuke
AFBinArizonaandLangleyAFBinVirginia,aresignsthatitsgoingtobetoughformanyairshowfanstoget
theirfixfortheforeseeablefuture.

Asairshowfansdealwiththedisappointment,frustrationandangerbroughtonbythecancellationofaBlue
AngelsorThunderbirdsperformanceattheirlocalairshoworintheworstcasescenario,thecompletecan
cellationoftheshow,theyllneedtotempertheiremotionswiththeconsiderablymoreseriousimpactthe
direAmericanbudgetarysituationwillhaveonmilitaryaviation.

Whilecuttingpublicperformanceswasanobviouscostsavingmeasureitrepresentsaveryminorportionof
the cuts that have been mandated. Presently Air Force leaders are struggling
withdecidingwhatmeasurestoimplementtomakeuptheremainderofthebudget
aryshortfall.TodosowillrequiremeasuressodrasticthatAirForceChiefofStaffGeneralMarkA.
WelshIIIhassaidthatbypresentAirForcedefinitions,thecutswillresultinmostUSAFcombatunitsbeing
completelynonmissioncapableasaunitbyJuly".Asoberingthought.

AnexampleofthecutscomingareUSAFflyinghours.TheAirForcesflyingbudgetof1.2millionhourshadto
bereducedby18%tomeetthebudgetnumbersforthecurrentfiscalyear.Thatmaynotseemdrasticuntil
youconsiderthatthecutwasputinplaceatapointwhentheAirForcehasalreadyflownroughlyhalfofthe
budgetedhours.Tomeetthe18%reduction,flyinghourswillneedtobeslashedby33%untiltheendofthe
fiscalyearinSeptember.StaffGeneralWelshsremarksdontseemsomuchlikerhetoricinlightofthatkind
ofstatistic.Anothercostsavingmeasurebeingconsideredistofurloughcivilianairmen.TheUSAFemploys
over180,000ofthemandtheyarethemajorityandinsomecases,thesolesourceofaircraftmaintenance
forairwings.Losingthemwillnotonlyresultinsignificantreductionsinaircraftavailabilityratesbutcould
leadtothelossoftheirskillsandexperienceastheseairmenmoveontootherjobstomakeendsmeetdur
ingthecrisis.

Nostoneisbeingleftunturnedtotryandmeetthenecessaryreductionsinspendingwhichhavelefteven
thecombatproventrainingprovidedtobothUSAFunitsandforeignparticipantsatRedFlagexerciseslocked
inthesightsofsequestration.WhileRedFlag133inFebruary/Marchof2013hasgoneasplanned,Acting
UndersecretaryoftheAirForceJamieM.MorinhassaidfutureRedFlagexercisesincludingonescheduled
forJulycouldbecut.

Page 52

KC135fromthe22ndAirRefuelingWing,McConnellAFB,Kansas,abouttolandatNellis.
INDEX

Page 53

F16Cofthe57thWing,64thAggressorSquadronaboveandF15Cofthe57thWing65thAggressorSquadron,NellisAFB,Nevada,below.F/A18EVFA25fromNASLemoore,California,above.

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HC130Pfromthe23rdWing,71stRescueSquadron,MoodyAFB,Georgia,above.
F16Cfromthe52ndFighterWing,480thFighterSquadron,SpangdahlemAFB,Germany,below.

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Page 57

Mesa,ArizonaUSA:PhoenixMesaGatewayAirport(formerlyWilliamsAirForceBase)inMesa,ArizonaUSA
hasgottobeoneofthegreatestairportsinNorthAmericaforspotting.Thediversityofaircraftthatcanbe
seenonalmostanygivendayisprettyamazing.IncludeavisitfromtheCommemorativeAirForce(CAF)Air
PowerHistorytourandyou'vegotagreatweekendtoreliveaviationhistorywhilealsoenjoyingthediverse
sightsandsoundsofmoderndayaviation.
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INDEX

TheCAFAirPowerTourstopatGatewayAirportincludedtheonlyflyingB29Superfortressintheworld"FIFI"
andtheC45Expediter"BucketofBolts."ThebeautifullypaintedP51DMustang"ManOWaraT6Texan/
SNJandlocalbirdsbelongingtotheArizonaWingoftheCAF,B17GFlyingFortress"SentimentalJourneyand
therecentlyrestored(2009)B25JMitchell"MaidintheShade."Allcouldbeseenflyingthroughoutthe
weekend.For$10peradult,kids10andunderfree,thepublichadaccesstoalltheaircrafttotouchandex
periencefirsthand.Thewalkthroughtoursofthebombershadlonglinesallweekendastheirsizeprovedto
bemostimpressive.
Page 59

Throughoutthedaytheopportunitytowitnessanaircraftfiringuptotakepayingpassengersforridesaround
thePhoenixareavalley,certainlydrewmoreattentiontotheevent.Oneofthemostinterestingexperiences
waslisteningtovetsthatactuallytrainedand/orflewrealWWIImissionstelltheirstoriesstandinginfrontof
theaircrafttypestheyflewin.Manygreatmemorieswereshared,includingastoryaboutthedevastating
TokyoincendiaryfireraidsthatwereorderedbyGeneralCurtisLeMayduringWWII.TheCAFdoesagreatjob
keepingthesevetsstoriesaliveaswe'resadlylosingourvetsfromthegreatestgeneration.

ThereweremanyothergreataircraftthatflewinandoutduringtheCAF'stourvisit.Ashortlistofaircraft
include:AV8HarrierII'sfromthefamedMarineAttackSquadron214(VMA214)Blacksheep,USNavyC2's,
USNavyF18E/FSuperhornet's,andasurprisevisitfromarareUSNavyF5E.

I'dliketothanktheCAFandDebbieKing/CAFB29pilot,MattNebgen/GatewayAviationServicesFBOMan
agerandRichFinley/ShiftRampManagerforalltheirassistanceovertheweekend.

Page 60

B17GFlyingFortress"SentimentalJourneyabove.

B25JMitchell"MaidintheShade"below.

INDEX

Page 61

ApairofUSNavyC2'saboveandbelow.
TheC45Expeditor"BucketofBoltstopright.
AT6Texan/SNJbottomright.

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INDEX

Page 63

USNavyF5EwithAggressorSquadronmarkings,above.
P51DMustangManOWartopright.
T45CGoshawk,belowleft.
AV8HarrierIIfromthefamedMarineAttackSquadron214(VMA214)Blacksheep,belowright.

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Page 65

AlthoughSchadowhadafarewellceremonyafterhislastflightasthepilotfortheF22DemoteaminNovem
ber2012attheconclusionofAviationNationairshowatNellisAirForceBaseinNevadahewasincommandof
theRaptorintheskiesoverAvalon.DuringtheAvalonAirShowwelearnedthatthismaybethelastairshow
performancebytheF22Demoteamthisyear,sinceallscheduledappearancesfor2013havebeencancelled.

AspartofthemilitaryflyingdisplaytheUSAFC17flewaswellasthe,RAAFC17,AP3C,HawkMk.127,F/A18F
andC130J.TheRAAFSuperHornetsalsodemonstratedtheirairtogroundrolewithsimulatedbombingand
strafingruns,thecleveruseofpyrotechnicsmakingtheirstrikesveryrealisticandloud.

ThehighlightofthecivilianactswastheTinstixofDynamiteduowithSkipStewartflyinghisPittsSpecialand
MelissaPembertonflyingtheEdge540performingoppositionaerobaticswithpyroexplosionsandwalloffire
providedbyRichsIncrediblePyro.SkiplaterperformedsolowhileMelissaalsoperformedasolodisplaywith
herhusbandRexPemberton.RexjumpedoutofaMahindraAerospaceAirvanwithhiswingsuitandforseveral
minutes"flew"whileMelissaflewcirclesaroundhim.

AlsofromtheUnitedStateswasOtto,theHelicopter,aSchweizer300flownbyRogerBuistothedelightofold
andyoungintheaudience.BobCarltonflewtheSuperSaltoJetGlider.FromAustraliatherewastheSuper
Stinker,aPittsflownbyChrisSperouandMattHallflyinghisMXSR.FromEngland,MarkJeffreysflewtheExtra
330LX and the Breitling Wingwalkers team flew the Boeing Stearman. During a trade day display one of the
Stearmanhadamechanicalproblemanditwasgroundedfortherestoftheshow.Theteamhadtoperform
withonlyoneaircraftfortherestoftheairshowweekend.

Intheair,warbirdswerewellrepresentedbyflyingdisplaysbyaGlosterMeteorF8,CA27Sabre,PBYCatalina,
LockheedHudson,CACBoomerang,P40Kittyhawk,CACWinjeel,CT4Trainer,SpitfireVII,DHC4Caribou,DC3,
DH82,DHDrover.OnthegroundtherewastheCACMk20/21CanberraandSokoG2Galeb.Thehighlight
wastheHistoricalAircraftRestorationSocietysL1049SuperConstellation.

TheRoyalAustralianAirForceDisplayTeam,theRoulettesperformedwiththeirPC9/AsonSaturdayandSun
day.

The Friday Night Alight Show had great performances by Otto the helicopter and Super Salto jet glider with
LockheedConstellationflybysandC130JHerculesflaredrop.Theeveningendedwithfireworks.

Anestimated180,000cametoseetheairshow.Avalonagainwasagreatvenueforthepublictoseethenew
estandtheoldofAustralianhardwareandanopportunitytoseetheRaptorandmanyfantasticcivilianper
formances.Theflyingdisplaywasnonstopduringthepublicdays.Morningsarebetterforphotography,after
noonsyouareagainstthesun.Thankfullythemediacenterwasabletoonceagaingetsomemediaphotogra
pherstotheothersideoftherunwaywherethelightintheafternoonismuchbetterforphotography.

ASRMediawouldliketothankPetaRichardsandLaureenDealeforalltheirassistanceduringandpriortothe
airshow.

The11thBiennialAustralianInternationalAirShowtookplacebetween
February 26 and Mach 3 at Avalon airport near Geelong, Victoria. Trade
dayswerefromTuesdaythroughFridaymidday,whileFridayafternoon,Satur
dayandSundaywerethepublicdays.Theflyingdisplayonthefirstdayoftheshow
wasshortenedandpostponedforlaterinthedayduetopoorweatherconditions.Ceilingwas
lowformostofthedaywithintermittentrain.Rainwasaconstantthreatduringthetradedays,but
fortunatelyitwasnotthecaseonthepublicdayswherethesuneventuallygracedtheblueVictorianskies.

AvalonisoneofthebiggestaviationtradeshowsintheAsiaPacificarea.Costing$18million,itgenerates
about$20millionforthelocaleconomyandanestimated$120millionforthestateofVictoria.Ithosted
close to 600 exhibitors from 21 countries, withthe attendance from Air Force leaders from 25 countries
and75seniormilitaryandcommercialdelegations.TheshowagainhighlightedtheclosetiesAustraliaand
the United States continue to have. On display were Australias latest acquisitions to the Australian De
fenceForces:aC17GlobemasterIIIfromthe36Squadron,86WingbasedatAmberleyQueensland,a737
AEW&CWedgetailfrom42Wing,2SquadronfromWilliamtownNSWandF/A18FSuperHornetsfrom6
Squadron,82WingalsofromAmberley.

TheRoyalAustralianAirForcealsohadondisplayaKC30AMRTTof33Squadron,86WingoutofAmber
ley,twoF/A18(HUG)from77Squadron,81WingandHawkMK.127from76Squadron,78WingfromWil
liamtownandaAP3COrionfrom10Squadron,92WingfromEdinburghSA.Reflectingcurrentbudgetcon
straints,theRoyalAustralianNavybroughtalongonlytwoassetstotheshow:anS70B2Seahawkandan
MRH90,unfortunatelybothwereonstaticdisplayonly.TheAustralianArmydidnothaveanypresenceat
allinthisyear'sshow!

AlthoughtheUnitedStatesAirForceisfacingdraconianbudgetcuts,havingtocancelseveralairshowsin
2013,itwasabletokeepitscommitmentwithitsusuallargepresenceattheshow.AmongtheUSAFair
craft on display were: a C17 from Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, a B52H 2nd Bomb Wing from
BarksdaleLouisiana,F16CfromMisawa,JapanandaKC135fromKadenaJapan.

OthercountriesthatparticipatedinthemilitarystaticdisplaywereFrancewithaCASACN235LightTacti
calTransportandSingaporewithtwoPC21AdvancedTrainersandtwoEurocopterSuperPumahelicop
ters.JapansKC767andNewZealandsB757werepresentduringsomeofthetradedays.

ThehighlightofthemilitaryflyingdisplaywastheF22Raptor.ThefirsttimetheRaptorcametoAvalon
was in 2011 and it did not fly. This time it was back and Major Henry Schadow Schantz put the F22
throughitspaces.
Page 66

IN-

Page 67

TheRoyalAustralianAirForceHawktop;Lockheed12leftandLockheedHudsonA
28rightinthecenter;GlosterMeteorF8leftbottom.

Page 68

INDEX

Page 69

'TinstixofDynamite'displayteam:SkipStewartandMelissaPembertoninaction.

Page 70

INDEX

Page 71

SkipStewartMelissaPemberton'TinstixofDynamite'displayteamMelissaPemberton

LockheedL1049GSuperConstellation
Page 72

INDEX

Page 73

RAAFC130JHerculesflaredroponFridaynight.
PhotocourtesyofRobHynes
Page 74

INDEX

Page 75

Page 76

CAC27Sabre,above.
CAC13Boomerang,below.

INDEX

Page 77