The Sioux Falls Air Show Part I
Last month Lexi, Bubba and I attended the air show on Sunday afternoon. Sadly we missed a lot of the fun performances but we still had a great time. I would suggest to anyone wanting to attend one to be sure and get their early so you don't miss anything.
The show was on the Air
Guard Base so attendees had to park at various locations off base and
were transported to the base via school buses. I had the pleasure of
sharing a seat with this sweet young lady.
The first plane we saw as we got off the bus was the E-2C Hawkeye. For our family this was pretty special because we refer to this plan as "Kris' plane". For nine years Kris was an avionics electrician in the Navy and it was his responsibility to make sure the E-2C Hawkeyes in his unit were in top running order. We met up with him at the Hawkeye a little while after we got there, so I could take a few pictures of him with 'His' plane. Of course he was quick to point out that it wasn't one of his because it belonged to a different unit. :) Later this week on Nita's Photography I will be sharing some pretty cool photos of this plane.
The turn out was very impressive, some brought lawn chairs, some blankets while others opted for a nice patch of grass to sit and enjoy the show. Some just wandered the field looking at all the different planes and military equipment.
Others took tours of the
various planes, yes that is a long line of people waiting to go inside
the cargo bay of what I believe is a C-17 Globemaster III. I know these types of planes are BIG but knowing and then standing next to one of these giants are two different things.
I did get some shots of birds in flight. However, since we had missed the more entertaining flight shows, I was more drawn to the people and the planes on the ground.
As to be expected with an event hosted on a military base security was tight. One security measure that I found very smart was the plan they put in place for lost children. When we were getting off the bus we were directed to the Child Safety booth to register Bubba. At the booth he was given a wrist band with a number on it, the number was then recorded on a record ledger with his name, his mom's name and a phone number to contact his mom. He was told if he got separated from us to tell one of the many uniformed service members present. If that occurred he would then be taken back to the Child Safety booth and they would call us so that we could be reunited. I think that this is a good idea for any large event where children will be present.
In addition to the planes and military equipment there were a number of fun things especially for the kids.
Now back to the planes. It was very nice of this pilot to perform an inverted flight at just the right time so I could get this shot with the tip of the bright red bouncy house in the corner.
I am
going to let you in on my rather weird, mischievous side. When we were
walking back to meet up with Kris at the E-2C Hawkeye and I saw the row
of porta potty's all lined up at the *ss end of his plane I could not
resist the shot. Who knows I am sure I can come up with some ornery tag
line to add on this for his birthday card come November. Any
suggestions?
I looked around but I couldn't find the Storm Troopers' aircraft.
As we were leaving I noticed that the Commissioning Committee for the USS South Dakota (SSN 790) had a booth with a model of the new nuclear submarine that is in the process of being built. I had to stop and chat a bit. I plan on doing a post about this sub when the Commissioning Committee announces the winners of the crest artwork competition. Yes, at Kris' request I entered the contest. I have my fingers crossed that I win. Not only would it be awesome to have bragging rights to a US Navy Crest design but I know it would mean a great deal to Kris.
Lexi had to be at work by 5pm so we wound up leaving just as the Blue Angels took to the air. It worked out as we could see them in the air all the way home.
Over the next few days I will share more photos from the airshow, both here and on my photo blog.
I am a day late, but this is my contribution to 'Sunday In My City'.
To find out what is going on around the world hop over to
Unknown Mami's Sunday In My City blog hop.
Have a Great Week Everyone!
1 comment:
I haven't been to an air show for too long. I've enjoyed many of them over the years. I've seen the concorde on the ground and in the air. I think it was a E-2C type of plane that recently was in an accident on a carrier. The pilots were awarded medals for saving the plane.
Post a Comment