JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The thunderous sound of aircraft from the past and present was heard blasting through the skies by more than 100,000 sets of ears.
The 2017 JBA Air Show: America’s Air and Space Expo, which was held from Sept 15 to 17, commemorated the U.S. Air Force’s 70th Birthday by highlighting decades of breaking barriers.
Spectators had the opportunity to tour various aircraft such as the KC-10 Extender, UH-60 Black Hawk and the C-17 Globemaster III. They were also able to witness air power in motion by watching aerial demonstrations from the F-22 Raptor Demo Team, the Geico Skytypers Air Show Team, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and many more.
70 years of USAF Heritage
The legacy of the Air Force began on Sept. 18, 1947. Since then, the Air Force has carried out their core value of excellence in all they do with advancements in air, space and cyberspace technology.
The air show gave an opportunity for people to touch, hear and see firsthand where the U.S. Air Force has been and how far it has come since its conception.
“It’s the past and the now,” said Josh Wells, a B-29 Superfortress, known as “Doc” team member.” To see [the P-51 and the F-22 Raptor] in the air at the same time has been incredible. To connect and see how [the Air Force] has progressed the last 70 years has been a lot of fun."
Whether it was the B-29 or the F-22, the aircraft demonstrated to the attendees the Air Force’s world-class air power, rich history and technological advancements throughout the past 70 years.
STEM
For many, an air show is an opportunity to see world-class aircraft fly. But for more than 2,000 students from the mid-Atlantic region, it was a chance to visit and take part in the JBA Science, Technology, Engineering and Math exhibit, featuring more than 20 models, displays and demonstrations.
For the first time at an air show, JBA allowed the public to see, firsthand, the importance of STEM in the many advancements the Air Force is able to make, by combining several different science exhibits into one hangar.
“We wanted the public to get a better sense of not only the base’s local mission, but also the mission of the Air Force as a whole,” said Maj. William Sack, JBA Air Show director. “At this year’s air show, we can build a genuine interest in STEM for children by engaging them with the many incredible opportunities that are present.”
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After months of preparation, the 2017 JBA Air Show came to a roaring end as the Thunderbirds performed the final aerial act.
“An enormous amount of work went in to the Air Show,” said Sack. “I’ve been on the project for 18 months and I’m really proud of the team and the job they did. I’ve heard nothing but positive reviews; people are inspired.”
The hard work and professional dedication from everyone involved in the air show left a good impression on visitors.
“It’s really fun to come out and have a chance to see [aircraft] up close and meet Airmen,” said Gabriel Cehr, air show attendee. ”It’s amazing to see what they can do.”