Cool Stunts, Hot Day

If someone gave you a dollar for every time the word “cool” was uttered at Fairchild Air Force Base on Saturday, well, you wouldn’t need to go to work on Monday.

It was the most effective adjective used to describe the base’s annual Aerospace Day. And as in previous years, the Thunderbirds air squadron stole the show.

The Air Force’s premier flying demonstration team, led by Lt. Col. John Venable, cut up the Inland Northwest sky with a jaw-dropping 40-minute performance.

High speeds, twists and dives had an estimated 54,000 people rubbernecking into the sun.

Saturday’s attendance was more than the past two years’ attendance combined, Fairchild officials said.

Ray Hancock took his 11-year-old son Alex to Fairchild for the boy’s first show.

“And this is my first time in years,” the elder Hancock said. “And it’s just like I remember. This is really spectacular.”

And, of course, Alex added: “This is cool.”

But don’t think for one minute that the performance of the Thunderbirds was a testosterone-laden affair. Women enjoyed the aerial acrobatics just as much as the men.

Thanne Halsted and her husband, Ron Halsted, applauded heartily throughout the show.

“We’ve been watching and supporting these men for years,” Thanne Halsted said. “We’ve got four sons in the Air Force, one of whom is a pilot.”

And Tom and Linda McNeill said the main reason they showed up was because Brooklyne, their 2-year-old daughter, is an aviation fanatic.

Unfortunately for Brooklyne, she was so tired that she slept through the entire Thunderbirds performance. But her mother believes it won’t be her last opportunity to see an air show.

“I think she’s going to go for the man in uniform at an early age,” McNeill said.

In addition to the F-16 Thunderbirds, 13 other military aircraft were on display, including two KC-135s, a C-17 and B-1 and B-52 bombers.

Also receiving a lot of attention was the F-117A Nighthawk, which is rarely seen by the public. It’s the world’s first stealth fighter.

“There’s information about the plane in books and on the Internet, but most of its components are still a national secret,” said Maj. Scott Kimball from Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, N.M., where the plane is stationed.

Unlike the other displays where observers could either get in or look inside the cockpit, the Nighthawk was roped off and protected by armed guards.

“It’s still highly classified,” Kimball said.

But not only were spectators jazzed about the air show, pilots were as well. There was such a big response that Maj. Michael Gross, director of Aerospace Day, and Capt. Joel Brewer, had to turn down performers wanting to participate.

“It’s interesting how many people want to support this event, but there’s only so much you can do in one day,” Brewer said.

Fairchild Senior Airman Anthony Johnson managed to enjoy the day off with his wife Eyvonne and Jordan and Tiara, his son and daughter.

Johnson said he was happy to see such a large turnout for the air show.

“It’s nice to know that people respect what you do,” said Johnson, who works Fairchild’s flight lines. “It’s good to see the community come out.”