(Note to my dial up connections-This photo essay contains many pictures and may take some time to load)
On Saturday, March 29th, we attended the Gulf Coast Salute 2008 Airshow. Tyndall Air Force Base, located in the Florida Panhandle presented this America's Heroes Airshow. If I had to describe it with one word, I would use "spectacular". I have been to airshows in the past, but the artistic ability and maneuvering capabilities never cease to amaze me.
Gates opened at 0900 sharp. Parking was on base and you had the choice of taking the bus or walking about 1/2 mile to the actual site. Since the weather was perfect (70s and sunny with a gulf breeze), we decided to walk.
After clearing security, we managed to find a perfect spot in front of the drop zone. We sat up our chairs, but spent little time sitting in them. The lineup for the airshow was outstanding and on time. It was to last all day and close with a concert by Aaron Tippin. We stayed up until concert time (not a big fan of country music) and then left in order to spend some time with Mom on her birthday.
Here are some of the things we enjoyed during the airshow:
Golden Knights
US Coast Guard HH-65C Dauphin Search & Rescue Demonstration
F 15 Flyby
C-17A Globemaster III Demonstration (To be so big and weigh so much...this plane is awesome)
Jet Truck
Aerostars Formation Team
Greg Koontz J3C Flying Farmer & Truck Top Landing
USAF F 15C Eagle Tactical Demo
Patty Wagstaff Extra 300 Aerobatic Demonstration
Warbird Flight
Red Bull Air Force Elite Freeflying Team & Chuck Aaron Red Bull Helicopter
Dan Buchanon Hang Glider Demonstration
Tim Weber Geico Extra 300 Aerobatic Demonstration
Greg Koontz Super Decathlon Demonstration
Aeroshell Aerobatic Team
US Air Force F22 Raptor Demonstration (This thing is awesome. We weren't allowed to see all it's "capabilities", but I was definitely impressed by what we did see)
US Heritage Flight
Thunderbirds
Although the Thunderbirds were supposed to be the "highlight" of the show, I was more impressed with the Warbird Flight, Heritage Flight, and Raptor Demonstration. I haven't been feeling very patriotic of late, however after attending this airshow my patriotism has been restored. I salute those that have served and currently serve in our Armed Forces. All in all, it was a rewarding experience and a fantastic way to spend the day. I think this pilot sums it up nicely:
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Comments: 78
I wish I could have been there, and love airshows. The last time I was at one, F-15's were fairly new, let alone F-22's being invented yet, ha ha.
Thanks a lot.
John S, I am glad you enjoyed it. I have seen the Blue Angels in the past and would love to see them again. I need to check their airshow schedule.
Lyla, me too :) Thanks for stopping by.
Susan B, thank you. I have edited it to be posted to that group. Thanks for directing me to it. I may have more things for the group later and I look forward to seeing what is there now.
Cheryl, thank you. Believe it or not, I came home with over 600 photos and have whittled it down to just over 300. I just picked these few to show here, but there were also different booths and exhibits set up. I still need to go through the collection of photos and try to get it down more.
j-Frugal Mom, thank you for stopping by. I am glad you enjoyed the photos.
Nancy, thank you very much. I had to do a little research to make sure I had the names right :) Yes, these days my patriotism goes and comes...with the war, the economy, politics, blah blah. Thanks again for stopping by.
Jeff, thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Liz, wow! Thank you very much for the compliment. I am honored that you feel this way. I am not one of those fortunate people with a great imagination to create novels and such, so I just have to express myself in photos and "few" words. I am glad you enjoyed the show.
Sarah, thank you for coming by. If you get the chance, treat yourself to an airshow.
Kimber, you are fortunate to live near a base with a museum. It will bring tears to your eyes and can be very emotional if you think of the history and the current people that serve in our military.
Melinda, thanks. You'll have to share some pics and/or a story from the show at Andrews.
Thank you for your continued support of SKYWARD with your beautiful images.
I knew there was a reason I didn't go..
too many odd people.
Your pics turned out great!!!! Where are the other 543???? LOL You get a 10!!!
Thanks for posting to All Photo Essays Here!
great article. glad yall had a good day. great pictures.keep snapping.
Such great shots.
DUH!
lol
Katherine, it was awesome and I highly recommend others to treat themselves to one of these. Thanks for being supportive.
Sheila & Heather, thank you both.
Madame Donna, thank you. Some of the shots were difficult and I had to scrap several of the photos due to be unfocused. I will have to look up your article.
Kay B, if I had known mentioning his appearance would have gotten you to tag along then I would have told you. I didn't know had met him. I am sure he's a great person...I just couldn't justify sitting through an hour or so of country music :)
Susan, many thanks to you. I appreciate the feature :)
Victoria, I don't think you'll regret taking your sons to one of these. It is rather loud and some of the crowd had earplugs (don't know if you would want to consider that or not). Let me know when you guys go. I would love to hear about your experience.
Dee, I will keep snapping. I wish I could have came by when dad called about the bees (would have made some great pics). Hope to see you guys soon. Love ya.
Lyla, you're welcome. Hope you have a great weekend.
Marilyn, you're welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Billie, I'm sorry your friend wasn't able to make it. Share the link with him :)
Chris, that is awesome. It probably would be better without so many people, but it was still fun. Thanks for stopping by.
Marianne, thank you very much.
Anita and Ed, thank you both.
John, come back as often as you want. I certainly don't mind :)
Holly, you're so funny. Air shoes, air shows....somedays they feel all the same, don't they? Thanks for dropping by (and giving me a laugh).
Carolyn, thank you.
Great job - I wish I could give you more than one 10!
Gisela, many thanks to you. I enjoy airshows too. Thanks for the 10, the compliment/comment, and stopping by to have a look.
John, I was very happy with most of the photos from the show. I have got to put them on CD for a couple of friends that were in the Air Force. Thanks again for your support!
Victoria, you're welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
Judi, it is exciting and makes me appreciate those that risk their lives. Thank you so much for the compliments and coming by to see this.
Those pics were breathtaking, I feel like I was there.:)
By the way, it took 3 hours 27 minutes and 7 seconds to download this, but I am patient. Actually a patient in a padded room.
Thank you for your comment.
Nick, thank you so much. I took A LOT of pictures and scrapped many of them. These were some of the better shots. I was lucky enough to be close to the strip and have a good zoom :)
Haim, I'm glad you enjoyed this. Thanks so much for coming by.
Nancy, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I have never been to the Lakeland Fly-In. When is it? I will have to get more information on it.
Susan, thank you so much! I am honored! I'm going to spotlight this too since the rating is low.
Hope the spotlighting helps!!!
Craig, it was pretty cool seeing the Heritage Flight.
Magi, I am glad you could enjoy an airshow :)
Jennifer, it was.
Thank you all for stopping by.