Air-Sea Show bigger, better than ever

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Ray Sarracino
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA --  Deafening noises, huge crowds and bright sunshine combined to make Fort Lauderdale Beach the place to be during the 12th annual Air-Sea Show. 

More than a million people turned out over the three days of the event to enjoy the show. 

The cast of performers read like a “who’s who” of the elite aviation community. From the Navy’s aerial demonstration team, the “Blue Angels,” to the Canadian Forces “Snowbirds,” the U.S. Army’s “Golden Knights” parachute demonstration team, to a simulated assault of the beach by members of the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Group, the weekend rocked the beach with the deafening roar of the air and sea forces of the most powerful military in the world. 

Spectators were even treated to a four-ship fly-by of F-16s from Homestead’s own 93rd Fighter Squadron during the singing of the national anthem. 

Spectators also witnessed some of the U.S. arsenal’s most advanced military hardware performing at its most extreme. For example, many of the stunts performed by the Blue Angels’ F-18 Hornet aircraft are not often performed in actual combat situations. Many of these aircraft are sent into battle fully-laden with bombs, additional fuel and external tanks which prevent them from engaging in aerial acrobatics. 

While the featured performers may have had top billing, all of the acts excelled in the clear South Florida skies. 

One of the highlights included a fly-by of the Navy’s soon-to-be-retired F-14 “Tomcat.” The aircraft was put through a series of thunderous passes that had many in the crowd covering their ears. 

The F-16 “Falcon” aerial demonstration plane and the F-15 “Strike Eagle” also used their afterburning thunder to get the crowd’s attention. 

While saying goodbye to the older technology of the F-14, the crowds were also treated to a show of might by the newest plane to enter the Air Force arsenal - The F-22 “Raptor.” By far, a crowd pleaser as it showed off its 21st century technology to a crowd that appeared pleased with this investment in our nation’s defense. 

Another crowd-pleaser was the brief appearance by the B-2 “Spirit” bomber as it darkened the sky in an eerily quiet pass over the beach. 

Although aerial high-tech was the order of the day, the Air Force’s “Heritage Flight” demonstration team reminded spectators that U.S. Air Force roots go back, way back, to a time when stick-and-rudder, seat of the pants flying was considered high tech. Their show team includes the World War II-vintage P-51 “Mustang,” the F-15 “Eagle,” and the F-16 “Falcon.” 

Air Force Reserve Recruiters also had the chance to display their wares during the show. With Homestead’s team manning two separate booths to greet arriving and departing folks on either end of the Sunrise Boulevard drawbridge. One booth also happened to be the home-on-the-road for the Air Force Reserve acrobatic pilot Maj. Ed Hamill. Flying his custom-built biplane, he was one of the featured performers in the show. 

“The air show provides great awareness for the Air Force reserve. This was an opportunity to reach ‘influencers’ who helped spread the message to potential candidates,” said Technical Sgt. Travis Newkirk, Air Force Reserve recruiter. 

“I had a counselor from George T. Baker Aviation High School who came over and said that he would really like more interaction between us and his students. These students are interested in all aspects of aviation and could potentially benefit greatly from a career in the Air Force Reserve.” 

While spectators enjoyed the view from the beach, maintainers and security forces from the 482nd Fighter Wing played a crucial role in the show by providing security and maintenance to many of the aircraft parked at the Opa Locka Coast Guard Air Station. 
Due to its short distance from the beach, it was the ideal site for housing the aircraft. 

However, security was a high priority and Homestead’s own were tapped for the mission. 482nd Security Forces members were on-duty during the entire show, which included arrival earlier in the week, as well as media events on Thursday, May 4 that kept the ramp area extremely busy. 

Maintenance was an entirely different issue as visiting high-performance aircraft required access to the finest facilities, maintainers, fuel and fuelers available. This was also provided with the aid of troops from Homestead’s 482nd Maintenance Group. 

While sunscreen and hydration were necessities throughout the weekend, the sunny skies and festival atmosphere kept crowds happy while they enjoyed the astonishing displays taking place in the clear blue skies overhead.