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Tens of thousands of people attended the 2007 Wings of Hope Airshow held at Pease Air National Guard Base on August 18 and 19, 2007. Organized by the New Hampshire Wings of Hope Foundation and the 157th Air Refueling Wing from the N.H. Air National Guard, this world class airshow was the first one on the Seacoast since 2000. The air show also marked the kick off of Air Force Week New England. "What makes Air Force Week New England unique is that Pease and Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, are the only two non-active duty bases hosting airshow events and are jointly hosting Air Force Week New England." said Brigadier General Mark F.Sears, commander of the New Hampshire Air National Guard. Air Force Week celebrates 60 years of the U.S. Air Force being an independent Force and is a new initiative designed to familiarize the public with the U.S. Air Force, highlighting the Air Force's heritage and contributions to the Global War on Terror by hosting several, free to the public, educational events that will allow the public to meet the citizen-airmen of your Air National Guard continuing to play a vital role in the defense of their states and nation. The last event during Air Force Week New England was the Cape Cod Airshow held on August 25 and 26.

More info on Air Force Week New England 2007 can be found here!

The New Hampshire Wings of Hope Foundation represents many charitable organizations, including the Brain Injury Association of NH, and proceeds from the show benefited those. The New Hampshire ANG hosted a "Special" Children's event on Friday, August 17. This event, which included a performance by the Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team, music by the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast and some aerial acts, gave children with disabilities a chance to take part in an air show experience. About 250 children and special need adults were invited to participate in the pre-opening day by the New Hampshire Brain Injury Association, N.H. Make-A-Wish Foundation and N.H. Special Olympics.

"This gets the name Pease out there and let people know we're not just a military operation, we are also very interested in maintaining a presence in the community," said Lt.Col. Thomas Blake who organized the event for the Guard. This year, the Air Force is celebrating its 60th anniversary and the airshow emphasized the Air Force's rich heritage and its future. Also attending the "Special" Children's event was Lt.General Craig H.McKinley, director of Air National Guard in Arlington, VA.

Organizers of the airshow were blessed with nice weather all through the weekend. Even with high winds over the area, Saturday proved to be the best day for taking photographs. The Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units are an integral part of the Air Force and both Commands were well represented with aircraft of all shapes and sizes on static display. The host unit had one of their KC-135R tanker on display and visitors had a chance to get a close look. Unit members were also present at the plane to answer questions from the public. Another KC-135E from the 190th ARW of the Kansas ANG was also present. Air National Guard cargo planes on display included a C-5A from the 105th AW from the New York Air National Guard based at Stewart ANGB in Newburg, NY and a C-17A from the 172nd AW of the Mississippi ANG. Neighboring units in New England were also well represented by the 103rd Fighter Wing from the Connecticut ANG showing off their latest mission plane, the C-21A, next to one of their A-10A Thunderbolt. The Green Mountain Boys from the Vermont ANG had one of their F-16C. The New Hampshire Army National Guard had two helicopters used in the Medevac role, one UH-60A and one UH-1V. Another NH ARNG UH-60A was kept on the flight line ready to fly if needed in case of emergency.

Other aircraft on display included a CH-46E from NAS Norfolk, two MH-60s from VX-1 at NAS Patuxent River, one T-1A from Vance AFB, one C-130H from the 94th AW/AFRC, two F-15E from the 4th Fighter Wing, three civilian owned T-33A, two World War II C-47 Skytrain, one AN-2 "World largest bi-plane" and three Civil Air Patrol owned aircraft.

Military and civilian planes filled the skies over Pease ANGB from 11:00 until 16:00 on both days of the airshow. Saturday's weather conditions provided an additional challenge to the pilots. Gusts of wind up to 40 mph along with a low ceiling of clouds forced the performers to be very cautious. First in the air were World War II planes from the American Air Power which included a B-25, P-40, P-47 and TBM-3 Avenger. Named "Miss Hap", this particular B-25 is the oldest of its type still flying in the world. The plane was named for Henry "Hap" Arnold, Commanding General of the Army Air Corps in World War II, who was instrumental in the creation of the Air Force in 1947 as a separate branch of the military. This was his personal transport plane. The Red Star team with their russian-built Yak 52s and lone Nachang CJ-6 still wearing its original Chinese Communist markings and painting followed a demo by Dan McCue in an L-39. One B-2A performed one flyover on Saturday only. One of many that particular plane had to do at various airshows across the United States that day! Other acts included Carol Pilon Wing Walker, Jim Parker's Salto H101 sailplane, Dan McCue and his F4U Corsair, Rob Holland and his Ultimate 20-300s, a Canadian Armed Forces CH-146 "Griffin" from 403 squadron at CFB Gagetown, N.B. and the NH Army Guard helicopter ground assault demonstration.

For thousands of people attending the airshow, the highlight was to see the Legacy flight and the Heritage flight. The United States Navy Tailhook Legacy Flight® program was established in 1999. It involves today's state-of-the-art fighters flying in close formation with World War II, Korean War and Vietnam vintage Navy and Marine Corps fighters such as the F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat and the North American Fury. Performing the Legacy Flight at this air show was Dan McCue in his Corsair and Lt Tom "Natty" Clark from the 2007 East Coast F/A-18C Hornet Demo Team representing the United States Navy and Marines Corps. For Lieutenant Clark, a New Hampshire native stationed now at NAS Oceana, VA, the airshow was a brief homecoming. After his demonstration, Lt. Clark met up with family and friends who had traveled from his hometown of Bedford.

The United States Air Force Heritage Flight program consist of vintage World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War era aircraft flying in close formation with Air Combat Command Single-Ship Demonstration Teams. Ed Shipley in his F-86 flew the Heritage Flight formation with Maj. Jason "Buzzer" Koltes flying an F-16CJ. Maj. Koltes is the Air Combat Command's Viper East F-16 Demonstration Team pilot and officer in charge of the F-16 Demonstration Team. As the demonstration pilot, he showcases America's F-16 Fighting Falcon to more than seven million people at approximately 65 shows around the world.

Half of the pilots who performed at the Wings of Hope Airshow at Pease are private owners like Red Stars member Steve Fox. Most are retired military pilots and come from all walks of life. One member of the Red Star team is a dentist, another a lawyer and the team leader is an ex-Phantom driver in the Air Force. "It's a personal passion for us, we do it for the fun. We get enough to cover some of our expenses but we're not making a living off of this." said Steve Fox.

Without any doubts, this airshow was a great success for both the 157th Air Refueling Wing and the New Hampshire Wings of Hope Foundation. The New Hampshire Air National Guard was able to reach out to the community and strengthen its local ties while the NH Wings of Hope Foundation and the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire brought awareness to brain injuries and disorders. For the thousands of people, young and older, attending this airshow must have been a learning experience. With so much to see about things you never have access to except in special occasions like this one, this was an opportunity not to miss. Many members of the 157th ARW were happy to spend some time on the flight line with family members to show them around.

Congratulations and special thanks to all the members of the 157th ARW for making my visit the most enjoyable!


Planes! Faces!

Ed Shipley in his F-86 flies with Major Koltes from the East Coast Demo Team. Three members of the Red Stars in formation over Portsmouth, NH. Dan McCue in his Corsair flyng in tight formation with Lt Tom Clark.

(All photos by author)

 
 
  


 
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