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McChord Air Expo 2008 met with huge success, dubbed 'greatest show in the sky'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kirsten Wicker
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  After the turnstile numbers were tallied, more than 375,000 community members passed through the gates for McChord Air Expo 2008 July 19 and 20, doubling previous expo figures and setting a new attendance record for the base. 

"We are extremely proud of the record number of people that attended our Air Expo," said Col. Michael Hornitschek, 62nd Airlift Wing vice commander. "It is inspiring to see how much support our community has for its military, especially us as Airmen. What a great weekend!" 

The premier air show in the Northwest, the expo showcased the best of over 100 static military and civilian aircraft such as the Air Force's newest fighter, the F-22 Raptor and pieces of living history such as the B-25 Mitchell "Spirit of the Pacific". More than a dozen military and civilian aerial acts performed from all around the country, including a bombing of Pearl Harbor reenactment and the United States Air Force world-famous demonstration squadron, the Thunderbirds. 

The two-day event drew 377,616 people allowing McChord to say "thank you" to the surrounding communities for the support they show the base every day. This year's theme, "Freedom, What it Takes!" allowed the community to get a glimpse of the pride, professionalism and capabilities of America's finest. 

With clear blue skies, soaring temperatures and dozens of vendors offering food, drinks and air show souvenirs, the show was a fun-filled family day complete with military and civilian aircraft available to walk into, climb up into the cockpit and dream big. 

"My husband and I come every year that McChord has an air show," said Marie Rux, an Air Expo attendee from Tacoma. "We just love coming here and think that it's great they open the base so we can see the planes." 

The show was an annual summertime event until 2002 when McChord officials had to cancel due to the high operations tempo the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan produced. It was held in 2003 and again in 2005, then was cancelled for the next two years. Now, in 2008, "We wanted to have the biggest show that McChord has ever put on, and we pulled out all the stops to make that happen," Maj. Edwards said. 

In addition to the myriad of flying machines on the ground available to view, touch and ask questions, there were more than a dozen acts to thrill spectators from above. The United States Air Force Academy "Wings of Blue" Parachute Team leapt from a McChord C-17 Globemaster III, performing spirals and head-long dives from 9,000 feet up. Bud and Ross Granley's Dueling Yaks (Yak 18 vs. Yak 55) narrowly missed each other upon taking off from the runway with gasps from the crowd. The F-15C Eagle, piloted by Capt. Sam "Nuke" Joplin from Air Combat Command, performed brilliantly with superior maneuverability and acceleration demonstrated expertly by Capt. Joplin was an incredible, heart-pounding sight. Spectators even had a chance to witness history with a Pearl Harbor reenactment team, "Tora! Tora! Tora!" swooped down on attack as the pyrotechnics lit up the ground. 

The final and long-awaited act to complete the high-flying day of fun was capped by the Thunderbirds. As the Air Force's precision flying team, this unique group of dedicated professionals representing the best of the best in Air Force capability for maintenance and flying, took to the skies in a dynamic display of calculated movements and speed to match. The team did not disappoint, as the crowd cheered and clapped with each pass. 

"The whole idea of the air show is to open our gates to the community, to come see their base, come see their military, and for us to say thank you for their unwavering support," Maj. Edwards said. 

With the last person to leave, the last plane to fly and the last hot dog eaten, McChord's Air Expo 2008 is over. Many dedicated and hard-working volunteers put in a huge effort to make sure the Northwest's finest air show was a great success. McChord officials look forward to the next great summertime family air show, tentatively scheduled for 2010. 

"Team McChord planned a world-class event for our community and we exceeded our expectations," said Maj. Edwards. "We tried to put on one of the best Air Shows in the country and I think we did it."