THUNDER in the sky

SUN HERALD ^ | March 30, 2009 | By MARY PEREZ

[Islander7]

BILOXI — The Thunderbirds in the sky plus free admission and parking could easily draw 70,000 spectators Saturday and Sunday for the first air show at Keesler Air Force Base since Hurricane Katrina.

Thunder on the Bay will be just that, with the Thunderbirds, the Air Force demonstration team, returning to the Coast for the first time in 15 years. Other military aircraft and some of the best stunt flyers in the world will perform almost nonstop the two days.

Gates open at 9 a.m. and the Thunderbirds perform at 3:20 both afternoons.

[Islander7]

A restored B-25 World War II bomber Special Delivery will salute the Doolittle Raiders, who flew the first attack on Japan after Pearl Harbor.

“This one survived the hurricane,” said event coordinator Marvona Welsh. The plane flew out of its home field in Galveston, Texas just ahead of Hurricane Ike. The Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston was severely damaged in the storm and has just reopened.

The plane carries the message of the Disabled American Veterans organization, and representatives of the group will be at Keesler to meet veterans.

[Islander7]

Mississippi PING!

[12Gauge687]

Sounds like a lot of fun! Have a great time! The enviro-wackos and the anti-war types are constantly trying to shut these air shows down. I think it’s important to show the American public what their hard-earned tax dollars are buying - the finest military on the face of this Earth!

Several years ago, I was leaving the Wicker Park Post Office in Chicago on a beautiful August Friday when two Blue Angel F/A-18As roared past at pretty low elevation while practicing for an upcoming Air & Water Show along the lakefront.

A young woman looked terrified and screamed, “Oh my God, what’s that!”

I said, “That, miss, is the sound of freedom!”

You can imagine the dismissive look on her face.

[Islander7]

We have several large military bases, a NASA facility and a shipyard here. We love the military!

No one flies into space on the shuttle without the Stennis Space Center. All shuttle main engines are tested and certified here before any flight.

We build for our nations defense. Ingalls, (now Northrup Grumman) has been building Navy ships for over 50 years.

Wish you could join us the fun. The community here goes to great lengths to support our military.

[null and void]

I said, “That, miss, is the sound of freedom!”

You can imagine the dismissive look on her face.

Back in the day when people called the base to b!tch about the jet noise, we'd ask, "Are you sure they are ours?"...

[IYAS9YAS]

Back in the day when people called the base to b!tch about the jet noise, we'd ask, "Are you sure they are ours?"...

At Davis-Monthan (Tucson, AZ), we'd get calls all the time. We'd politely tell the caller that Davis-Monthan was the original airport for Tucson, and was dedicated by Charles Lindbergh in 1927. We'd then ask when their house was built and where it was located.

Invariably, these idiots were somewhere off our main runways in a new development.

I never slept more soundly than when I knew they were our birds flying overhead. It got to the point I could tell you what was in the air without even looking at it. Still can, with some of them.

[Excellence]

Could you tell me what kind of aircraft the Thunderbirds use? I read the article, but it didn't mention it.

[Islander7]

They fly the F-16

[Excellence]

Thank you.

[democratsaremyenemy]

I lived in Gulfport where there is a Air National Guard Traing base. We had Air National Guard units from all over the United States training during the summer....It was great to see all of them jets flying...and to go out to the airport and watch them...

[stboz]

INteresting that the post shows the F-100s.

[Islander7]

INteresting that the post shows the F-100s.

Nope, They F-16s. Photo is from a bad angle.

[Islander7]

I used to live in Orange Grove just east of the final approach glide path. I know what you mean.

[vetvetdoug]

In 1964 the Thunderbirds flew the F-100. I went with my Father to investigate one that crashed on takeoff at Laughlin AFB, TX; it went thru the boondocks and came to rest at a No Parking Sign posted along Highway 90 East of Del Rio.

[SuziQ]

When I was visiting family on the Coast last summer, my older sister and I 'walked the bridge' from Ocean Springs across to Biloxi. There must have been some pilots learning to land, because there was what looked like a C-130 that flew around and over us several times, and looked like it was lining up on one of the runways at Keesler.

Hubby's family used to vacation every year at Perdido Key, and we always went over to the Naval Aviation Museum, where one of the Blue Angels squadrons was located. They had practices on Tuesday mornings that were open to the public. It was fantastic!

Unfortunately Hurricane Ivan destroyed their facility, as well as the condos where we used to stay, so we had our reunions elsewhere for several years. Last year we went back to Perdido Key and stayed in one of the newer places. They'd finally torn down the Vista del Mar, and the property is up for sale. Don't know if the Blue Angels are back.

[CFIIIMEIATP737]

“Are you sure they are ours?”

Love the reply. How many of the callers were able to comprehend the meaning?

[houeto]

I used to live in Orange Grove just east of the final approach glide path. I know what you mean.

I live in the other Orange Grove, the one on the Escatawpa River. Right now we're having a little bit of rainwater problems. Not sure if I'll be out by showtime. More rain expected today.

[4everontheRight]

Damn!!! I wish I was there. I sure miss looking up and seeing planes from Keesler fly over on any given day.
I now live in SC and I realized the other day how little military I see here. Every day I would see a CB or a Keesler airman in my day to day life. Here, if I see one once a month I am thrilled. I sure miss them!
Some how I feel less safe without them. I do see the chem trails or jet streams, whatever they want to call them, I mean I see them every day! But they are coming out of Charleston I think and I am in the upstate.
Awesome opportunity to see the nation's best!

[Islander7]

I sure miss looking up and seeing planes from Keesler fly over on any given day....

I know what you mean! I love parking on the access road on the south end of the ANG runway in Gulfport on a warm Spring day. Fighters from all across the nation come here to hone their skills in the air combat training area over the gulf. It is not unusual to see F-16s, F-15s, F-18s and A-10s by the dozens. There are usually a few C-130s on the tarmac at any given time.

The pilots and ground crew enjoy some fine eating in our restaurants. We enjoy their company.

[4everontheRight]

Man! I miss home so much!!! Spring is just the best...not too many mosquitoes, not too hot, humidity at a damp-towel level, the ability to sit outside and eat at a local restaurant with a patio and my all time favorite.....the home cookout featuring the shrimp boil...newspapers spread out on the picnic table...the smell of Zataran’s in the pot boiling corn, shrimp, potatoes, onions, mushrooms....a ice chest full of beer and Barq’s.....a few loafs of Lidenheimer’s and a big wooden bowl of salad. Man, that is livin’!!!