Joint Base Charleston

 
News Search

Captivating air expo acts dazzle Lowcountry

By Airman 1st Class Melissa White | 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs | April 30, 2008

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Team Charleston captured the attention of thousands of people from across the country with the 2008 "Wings Over Charleston" Air Expo here Saturday.

"Despite being engaged in a very high operations tempo, having many of our folks serving downrange and prepping for a major inspection, we owed it to the community that supports us, and our team delivered a world-class event," said Col. John "Red" Millander, 437th Airlift Wing commander.

This year's show featured more than 20 performances to include the Air Force Thunderbirds, Army Golden Knights and, for the first time, the F-22 Raptor, along with many static displays.

Adam Walter, the 4-year-old son of Tech. Sgt. Paul Walter of the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was amazed by the Thunderbirds as he told his father, "Wow, Dadda! Those planes are super fast!"

"The flying acts and static displays made this show a huge success," said Lt. Col. Scott D'Antoni, 2008 "Wings Over Charleston" Air Expo director and also a C-17 aircraft commander with the 16th Airlift Squadron. "It was the first time the F-22 Raptor came to Charleston and most viewers said it was definitely the highlight of the show."

The event was deemed a success by base leadership and it would not have been without all the people who worked behind the scenes.

A committee of more than 100 people met monthly when official planning for the expo started in September 2007. Then they met bi-weekly and weekly as the expo drew closer with many phone calls, office visits, e-mails and site surveys in between to ensure the expo could be pulled off without a hitch.

"There was a great team effort from the entire Charleston community including the Navy, local law enforcement and many sponsors and donors to make the expo a success," said Colonel D'Antoni.

There were thousands of volunteers to include squadron members manning the booths and hospitality areas, augmentees for the 437th Security Forces Squadron and members checking for foreign object debris throughout the day. There were also more than 200 volunteers from the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, retirees and Boy Scouts of America.

To wrap-up this year's air expo, a "hot wash" was held earlier this week to discuss what could be improved to help prepare for the next air show tentatively scheduled for 2010.


Staying Connected