"Wings over Vermont" was a three days celebration of military and civilian aviation in Vermont held in Burlington, VT. This celebration, organized and directed by the Vermont National Guard Charitable Foundation, began on Friday, August 18th with an opening ceremony at the Vermont Air National Guard base in South Burlington. Weather was excellent that day but was about to change on Saturday with the forecast calling for rain on Sunday.

The main event was the airshow on Saturday, August 19th over the waterfront in downtown Burlington. Performing for the first time over beautiful Lake Champlain, the USAF Thunderbirds were the star attraction for thousands of people gathered at the waterfront. Also performing were the U.S. Army Golden Knights, United States Army's premiere parachute team. Other aerial demonstrations included the F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team, Ed Shipley's F-86 Sabre, USN East Coast Demo F-18C, 104th FW's A-10 Thunderbolt II, 158th FW F-16C and John Klatt's Air National Guard Demonstration with his Staudacher S-300D. Interesting Warbirds such as a P-47N, P-51D and two P-40s from the American Airpower Museum at Farmingdale, NY. took part in the airshow and were present for the Open House accompanied by a TBM-3E Avenger and a F-4U5-NL Corsair from The Collings Foundation. Other performers included Don Majercik flying a Pitts Special S-2B and the World War II Airborne Demonstration Team.

Rain started by mid-afternoon when the USCG performed its water rescue demonstration with a UH-60G from Cape Cod, Mass. Weather cleared for a brief period later in the day as the main event unfolded. The USAF Thunderbirds performed their 'low show' in front of more than 30,000 present on and around the waterfront.

An Open House was held at the Burlington air base, home of the "Green Mountain Boys", on Sunday, August 20th. This was a great opportunity for the local population to see the aircraft "up close and personal" and have a look around the base. In addition, this was an excellent way to learn a lot more about the role of the Vermont Air National Guard and its members. The airshow was a great way to celebrate the Vermont ANG's 60th Anniversary and a way to say 'Thank you' for the support of the public and area employers over the decades. The Vermont ANG, along with the Vermont Army National Guard, have been specially active since Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Hundreds of Vermont-based airmen and thousands of soldiers have been deployed to missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait, among other countries.

Despite the rain, thousands of people showed up at the base to take a look at the resident's F-16 fighters and other aircraft on display. Local agencies were also present with display booths and their members ready to inform the visitors about their role in and around the community. The Thunderbirds departed Burlington at 10:00 for their next destination and performance. Later this morning, an F-16A was dedicated by the Vermont ANG to two members of the Green Mountain Boys who died while serving with the 158th FW. The aircraft will soon join others on dispaly near the main entrance of the base. At 14:00, members of Det.1, 158th FW, performed a simulated scramble of two F-16C. Detachment 1 from the 158th FW is now located at Langley AFB, VA and is responsible for providing Air Defense on the East Coast as part of Norad.

Later that afternoon, visiting aircraft started to fly back home and soon the ramp became almost empty. Just a few remained and waited for the next day to go home.

For me, attending the three day celebration was the highlight of my summer and something I had planned years ago. For a lot of people and aviation enthousiasts, it is all about planes! Sure it's nice to be able to photograph a military jet sitting in front of you, clean and without anybody around. But there's a lot of folks behind to make it flies and perform its mission. I've learned this a long time ago and I've met some very interesting individuals over the years. As an Honorary Member of the Green Mountain Boys, I had the privilege to witness their professionalism and excellence through the support they have provided me over the years. During the Open house, I walked around photographying people and shaking hands with members of the 158th FW I had the opportunity to work with many years ago. Many retirees returned to Burlington that day and I recognized many of them. A lot of VT ANG members took this opportunity to show their spouses and children around their work place and the jets.

When the closing ceremony took place later that day, my feet were a little wet because of all the rain received but I was happy to be there! A lot of good memories will remain from that weekend with the Green Mountain Boys!

Happy 60th Anniversary! and Thanks for the hospitality!.

See the people! See the planes!

All photos by author. Click on the above links to view a selection of photos taken during the airshow!