2016 Airpower Over Hampton Roads

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2016 AIRPOWER OVER HAMPTON ROADS
LANGLEY AFB, VA (KLFI)
APRIL 23, 2016

The big three air bases in the Norfolk, Virginia area are known for hosting spectacular airshows throughout the industry. Langley AFB, home of the Northeast USAF F-22 Raptor and T-38 Talon units, as well as some aircraft from the NASA Langley Research Center hosted a marvelous show late April of 2016. Plenty of jet noise from all eras of jet powered military aircraft were scheduled to fly, with examples such as the first fighter in the USAF inventory: the Lockheed Martin T-33 Shooting Star to the most modern, technologically advanced fighter, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II was scheduled for its inaugural USAF Heritage Flight, where it would fly with Jim Beasley Jr. in his P-51D Mustang as well as the home team's F-22A Raptor. The Navy sent the F/A-18C Hornet from nearby NAS Oceana to perform the first post-sequestration out of base F/A-18C Legacy Hornet demonstration. And of course, we cannot forget about the world class static display array and the USAF Thunderbirds. Looked like a great show worth the 6 hour drive from Philadelphia.

THE STATIC DISPLAYS

Statics at this year's Airpower Over Hampton Roads were world-class, and you will see why scrolling through these photographs. Every fighter type from the US Air Force's fleet, minus the F-15C Eagle were represented by at least one airframe. Rounding out the impressive static lineup were a Eurofighter Typhoon from the Royal Air Force, a B-1B Lancer, and an IAI Kfir provided by ATAC located next door at Newport News (KPHF).

AIRSHOW ACTION

As mentioned before, this year's Langley Airshow was guaranteed not to disappoint. While what was scheduled was impressive enough, there were a few unscheduled surprises that frankly made the show even better. To kick things off, Team Langley took off to unrestricted climbs in their 2 Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors and 2 Northrop T-38 Talon aircraft. The T-38s play the role of aggressor for the F-22 Raptors here at Langley, so it was quite a treat to see those airplanes get in on the show. The Golden Knights parachute team then took center stage in an airplane not usually showcased in airshows. One of their trusty Fokker C-31A Troopships was down for maintenance, so Langley got to see one of their new Viking UV-18C Twin Otter aircraft, which is an improvement of the ever popular De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft seen dominating the skydiving industry. Circles were provided by world aerobatic champion Rob Holland, who later flew a teaser routine. Dell Coller then flew a short routine in the Jack Links' Extra EA-300L, being interrupted by Kent Pietsch (dba Chuck Dramamine) who flew his comedy act in the Jelly Belly Interstate Cadet.

US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team | Flag Jumper | 2016 Airpower Over Hampton Roads | KLFI (Langley AFB, VA) | April 23, 2016

US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team | Big Way Mass Exit | 2016 Airpower Over Hampton Roads | KLFI (Langley AFB, VA) | April 23, 2016

US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team | Virginia State Flag | 2016 Airpower Over Hampton Roads | KLFI (Langley AFB, VA) | April 23, 2016

US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team | Black Main Canopy | 2016 Airpower Over Hampton Roads | KLFI (Langley AFB, VA) | April 23, 2016

US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team | Landing Patterns | 2016 Airpower Over Hampton Roads | KLFI (Langley AFB, VA) | April 23, 2016

After all aircraft were recovered after the impressive show opening sequence, it was time to continue with the jet noise. Randy Ball of FighterJets Inc. flew a spectacular demonstration of the Polish variant of the Mikoyan MiG-17F Fresco with lots of afterburner. That was followed up by Chris Darnell taking the Shockwave Jet Truck, a Peterbilt semi powered by three General Electric J79 turbojets. Jerry "Jive" Kerby flew his Vans RV-8A "Wild Blue" in a demonstration, which was followed up by a demonstration of the North American P-51D Mustang "Quick Silver", expertly piloted by Scott "Scooter" Yoak.

After Scooter landed his beautiful P-51D Mustang, the US Navy F/A-18C Hornet was cleared into the box. This was the public re-debut of the VFA-106 Legacy Hornet demonstration, and pilot Lt. Scott "MacGruber" Lindahl absolutely shredded the sky in VFA-106's color jet. After DEMO11 cleared the sky, it was time for some radial rumble with Larry Kelley in the B-25J "Panchito" as well as the GEICO Skytypers in a rare 5-ship demonstration. Rob Holland then performed in his MXS-RH, to be followed up by Kent Pietsch's UHaul top landing. Jeff Boerboon then flew the Jack Links Jet Waco "Screamin Sasquatch" in a jaw dropping routine.

The next performer of the airshow was Gregory "Wired" Colyer flying his CT-33A Shooting Star "Ace Maker II", one of the first jet powered aircraft in the United States inventory. Afterwards, Jim "Torc" Tobul flew the Korean War Hero F4U Corsair in a beautiful demo, later joining with Scott Yoak and Quick Silver to fly the Class of 45 Heritage Flight. The Golden Knights Parachute Team performed another jump demonstration out of the UV-18C Twin Otter. Redline Airshows was next on the agenda with Ken Reider and Jon Thocker flying their beautiful red and white Vans RV-8 aircraft. To round out this series, Andrew McKenna and Jim Beasley Jr. flew a Horsemen-esque formation routine in their respective North American P-51 Mustang aircraft.

US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team | POW/MIA Flag | 2016 Airpower Over Hampton Roads | KLFI (Langley AFB, VA) | April 23, 2016

It was time to showcase the new Air Force metal. To begin, the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II of the 61st Fighter Squadron stationed in Luke AFB, AZ , flown by Major Will "D-Rail" Andreotta flew a takeoff into an unrestricted climb to mark the public Heritage Flight debut of the F-35 Lightning II. The world's most feared fighter aircraft - the Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor flew a demonstration next. Major Dan "Rock" Dickinson flies a great demonstration, and Langley AFB was no exception to that. This demonstration profile never fails to amaze me with the capabilities of the fifth-generation fighter. Following the demo, Rock and D-Rail joined up with Jim Beasley Jr. flying the P-51D Mustang to fly the USAF Heritage Flight.

Prior to the Thunderbirds, Langley AFB saw one of the world's smallest jets, the SubSonex Microjet piloted by Bob Carlton flying. Rob Holland flew another routine profile in his MXS-RH before racing the Shockwave Jet Truck and lighting the Wall of Fire.

It was then time for the United States Air Force Thunderbirds to perform. All six Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft flew the complete, majestic showcase.

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