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25
April 2007
BURNET, TX – On 14 April 2007, several cadets and senior members from
the Apollo Composite Squadron, Group III, Texas Wing – based in
Georgetown – woke up, got their gear together, and headed out to the
Burnet Air Show.
We arrived at approximately 0700 and began working at once. With winds
gusting to 30 knots and a temperature of about 55 degrees Fahrenheit, it
was extremely windy and cold. We were tasked with setting up signs for
our sponsors, flight line barrier ropes and flight line security. When
we made our way to the flight line, we noticed that the VIP tent had
been blown over and several of the support post damaged beyond repair.
We fixed all the support post that were repairable, and tied several
ropes to the aircraft tie-down hooks on the tarmac.
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[1]
Cadets take instruction from 2d Lt Nicholas Capo. [2] Off we go
to work led by C/SSgt Norred. [3] (L to R) Cadets: D. Cochell, R.
Walden, J. Cochell, E. Condrey, Z. Norred, A. Cochell, Z. Matson, S.
Corley, J. Kokel, C. Condrey, and J. Condrey. [4] "Watch me Go!"
says Cdt Z. Norred. [5] (L to R) At the end of the day, Cadets J.
Condrey, C. Condrey, Z. Matson, J. Wreyford, J. Kokel, Z. Norred, and D.
Cochell.
After that, we could
start on our assigned task; that was setting up the barrier ropes to
provide safe parking for all aircraft – and keep spectators from
wandering into the flight line. By the time we finished setting up,
several aircraft had arrived, and the Air Show was about to begin.
It started off fast! A Pitts performed some of the most amazing
aerobatics we had ever seen. After that, there was a formation flight of
experimental aircraft. They performed very well, and in very
close grouping. Despite the wind, they were able to safely get extremely
close, pulling off their maneuvers in a tight formation.
It was when they landed that things started heating up, as an A-1
Skyraider swooped over the airfield and dropped his bombs! No, it didn’t
drop real bombs, but the sounds were real, created by a professional
explosives team.
After it made several runs, it was time for the B-25 “Yellow Rose” and
the PBJ “Devil Dog” to make their runs and end the Air Show with a
bang! as they dove low and dropped their ordnance in an
explosion of heat and smoke. You could feel the heat as you watched,
sitting on your chair.
There were many more planes in attendance; in fact, too many to name. I
did notice that the C-47 “Bluebonnet Bell” was also in attendance, along
with an AH-64 Apache Longbow.
Overall, it was an amazing Air Show and a complete success. The high
winds and bitter cold weren’t going to stop this event. Despite the bad
weather, the Air Show lived on and everyone had a wonderful time.
Article submitted by C/SSgt
Zack Norred and photos submitted by 2d Lt Sue Kristoffersen |
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