Well folks another fabulous Marine Corps airshow; here’s how it stacked up.  This year’s meet-up began at 10am, Friday, September 30th, and was certainly a success!

1100 hrs (ok, maybe we were running a little late) found us on the flight line getting geared up for what was to be a great show.  Once open for business, Ed and I awaited the hordes to descend and descend they did!  I’m not saying this show was big, I’m saying it was gigantic!

We successfully gathered the crew and hit the displays full force! Our first order of business was introducing all the club members in attendance, and it was certainly an accomplished group! All the future ace pilots were motivated and ready to learn!

We hit the ground running, and immediately came across the distinguished Marine Corps Band, who put on a great show.  We then meandered through the display aircraft, right on over to the big boys…the FIGHTERS!

Ed asked the members some pretty tough questions, and all were answered immediately.  Apparently I need to do a little more homework to keep up with the team!

The wealth of information that was shared was incredible.  An AV-8 Harrier jet pilot was gracious enough to tell us all about his aircraft, the specs and amount of fuel used to power the monster. It was pretty impressive! He told us that the Harrier display was going to be amazing, and it absolutely was no let down.

We made our way through the crowd, over to the grandstands where the real action was taking place!  Major Rush picked up tickets for the group and we made it just in time for the famous Heritage Flight that included the P-51 Mustang and modern F-18 Hornet flying formation.

That was a sight!

It was amazing to see the power difference, with the P-51 full throttle and the F-18 throttling back to stay in tow.  It was a beautiful display of military aviation history.

Around 1500 the big boys came out. The famous Blue Angeles took the stage, and it was quite the show! They zoomed past the crowd, in a display of incredible skill and accomplishment.  It is simply amazing to see how close they get to one another, and yet maneuver with such grace and fluidity.  If that doesn’t motivate you to become a fighter pilot, what will?!

Without fail, the Blues put on an impressive show, and probably busted some ear drums in the process.  It was the small price to pay to witness pure speed and feel the rush of adrenalin!

By end of day Sunday over 700,000 people streamed in and swamped the flight line.  That’s right people I said 700 thousand!  So let me tell you by 1700hrs I was ready for my ship to set sail back to the O-Club at Mach speed.

Thank you to all that came out to the show, and made it a great experience.  Here at the Afterburner Club, we live for your motivation and eagerness to learn.  Ed and I had an awesome time, and can’t wait to start planning next year’s meet-up! Any suggestions?

Until next time, Future Aces!

P.S. Major ‘Jack’ Rush (Ed’s son) joined us on the trip. I promise, he had fun… look at that look… Did I do something wrong? 😉