Cannon's Air Show and Open House in review

by Senior Airman Eboni Reece
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

5/28/2014 - CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- After months of preparation, Air Commandos at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico were set to host an air show and open house during Memorial Day weekend, May 24 and 25. Approximately 25,000 people travelled from the local area and bordering states to witness aerial demonstrations, view static displays and listen to musical performances.

Both days consisted of a jam-packed schedule to include demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachute team, Smoke-n-Thunder jet car, Cannon's aerial assets and members from the 26th Special Tactics Squadron. Throughout the day, those in attendance were able to walk the length of the flightline numerous times stopping at various booths to participate in games and purchase souvenirs or visit static displays to learn different aircraft capabilities. Each day concluded with an aerial performance from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

To prelude the final event of each day, the U. S. Air Force Academy Band, Blue Steel, performed several covers to popular songs from the 1970s to modern day.

Despite forecasts of unfavorable weather for the weekend, rain only made a temporary appearance on both days, leaving clear skies for the highly anticipated Thunderbirds ground ceremony and in-flight show.

Spectators shielded their eyes and stared into the sky as six F-16s performed aerial precision tactics a few thousand feet above their heads. A narrator directed the crowd's vision to witness each spectacular approach. While following the zooming jets with their eyes, subtle gasps and the sound of ooh's and ahh's was barely audible in the midst of aircraft thunders. After an entertaining show and a safe landing, members from the Thunderbirds met with hundreds of people eagerly waiting for autographs, handshakes and photo opportunities.

With any event of this magnitude, hiccups along the way and last-minute changes are to be expected.

"The entire team worked hard to develop a strong plan and adapted well to deviations that occurred," stated Col. Tony Bauernfeind, 27th Special Operations Wing commander. "Many people stepped up to quickly solve problems and ensure that we put our best foot forward for the community."

It has been more than two years since the base hosted an open house, so many agencies and units worked tirelessly in the days prior to the events to ensure a successful weekend.

"Overall, the air show and open house was a resounding success and had a strong impact on both the local surrounding communities, as well as, the various outer lying communities whose residents travelled to Cannon to enjoy the air show," concluded Bauernfeind.