CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Air Expo 2008, "Wings Over Charleston," is only 28 days away, and the base is gearing up for a day of thrills and excitement.
Headlining the day's events will be the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team, which is a mix of formation flying and solo routines in the F-16 Fighting Falcon jet. The pilots will perform approximately 40 maneuvers during the demonstration. The entire Thunderbird demonstration will run about one hour.
"This year's air show will be the best ever! We've got dozens of flight demos and static displays, including many from our Navy and Coast Guard partners. Demos include the Thunderbirds, the Golden Knights, and for the first time at Charleston, the F-22 Raptor," said Col. John "Red" Millander, 437th Airlift Wing commander. "I'm very excited about 'Wings over Charleston' and proud to show the world the great things our Airmen warriors are doing for the nation."
For access to the day's events, both the Rivers and Dorchester gates will be open to the public beginning at 9 a.m. and will close at 5 p.m. The Rivers gate will close from 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. while the Thunderbirds perform. This is required to keep the area under the aerobatic box that they'll be flying through clear of all non-essential pedestrians.
Since Air Expo planners are expecting close to 130,000, base members are preparing to handle the crowd.
"To prepare for such a large crowd, we are working not only with our own law enforcement, medical and emergency response teams, but side-by-side with our counterparts off base to ensure the safety and success of this huge event," said Lt. Col. Scott D'Antoni, 437th Airlift Wing director of Charleston Air Expo 2008. "Parking, traffic, food, beverage, restrooms, trash control, security, medical and many more areas are being reviewed by a team of more than 100 dedicated personnel on the air show staff."
To help in getting ready for the day's events, Team Charleston members can pitch in to make the Air Expo a day to remember.
One way is for Airmen and family members who live on base to ease traffic congestion during the Air Expo. They can do this by taking one of the base shuttle buses to the flightline to see the show so vehicles can be left at base residences.
To make Air Expo 2008 a success, event organizers are looking to base personnel to assist in controlling foreign object debris, trash collection and volunteering as security forces augmentees. Team Charleston members can also volunteer to work vendor booths selling food and beverages as well as those working in the Barnstorm Tent selling squadron memorabilia, which can help booster clubs and private organizations raise money.
Colonel D'Antoni views the Air Expo as a chance for Team Charleston members to show the public why they are the best.
"It's the only opportunity that allows thousands of people from around the Lowcountry to come on base and see the world's best military up close and personal," he said. "Besides seeing the performers and static displays, they'll be able to meet the men and women who operate and maintain them."