Today kicked off one of my favorite pastimes. It started out cloudy and cold, but I knew the weather would clear into a hot, sun-drenched afternoon. As a child, I went to air shows on my own. From the age of 13, I would ride my bike—no matter the distance—to the nearest base just to watch the airplanes. Nobody had to teach me the names; I knew the nomenclature of every plane.
I grew up wanting to be a pilot. That dream never became a reality, but I still dream, and I still love all kinds of aircraft. This particular air show was going to be extra fun because I talked Heather into joining me, which was a big ask for someone who isn't a fan of big, stinky, noisy planes!
Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State specializes in teaching midair refueling to pilots and other aircrews. Year-round, they fly touch-and-goes and midair hookups with other aircraft. Today’s event featured both static displays and an air show. We walked through multiple cargo aircraft, we viewed a F-35, and a F-22. We also got a double dose of the high-speed United States Air Force Thunderbirds and a demonstration pair of F-18s—my personal favorite.
We saw a wonderful variety of warbirds and modern jets, including a WWII B-25, B-29, AT-6, and P-51, as well as a modern A-10 and several F-16s—one of which featured a rare tiger paint job. There were also civilian planes like a Stearman and a Christian Eagle in its original multi-colored feathers, along with what looked like a P-61 and a B-24. The Golden Knights performed a demo jump, and a B-52 did a flyby. Static displays included an Apache helicopter, a UH-1 Huey, a Sea-Cobra, and various transport and tanker aircraft.
I know I am missing a few, but the best was saved for last. The F-18s put on a demonstration flight. Man, what a plane! Between the raw power and the whine of the twin engines, there is no other aircraft like it.
The sun played hide-and-seek all day, and the wind never let up, leaving us cold. Walking back to the car, we were slightly blue from the cold and deafened by the engines, but incredibly happy and tired. Oh, and I bought a coffee cup to remember the day by.
