NcDeuce
06-20-2004, 11:01 AM
101st shows talons in finale
Aircraft enthusiasts of all ages climbed in various Apache helicopters at Campbell Army Air Field Saturday and pointed to every button, gear and screen -- all sharing the same question.
"They know a lot about them already -- they always ask how to fire the missiles," said Chief Warrant Officer Chris Estrapa, 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment.
Between 20,000 and 30,000 spectators came to the free air show, which included a full-scale modern air assault with about 500 soldiers and pyrotechnics, a fair for kids and hundreds of wheel and track vehicles and aircraft on display.
The Week of the Eagles celebration highlighted the history and legacy of the 101st Airborne Division through shows and events, culminating in Super Saturday's air show and concert. The show was open to the public, though the concert featuring headliners George Strait, Vince Gill and Richard Marx entertained only military and their families.
Between demonstrations performed by fighter aircraft and parachute teams from the 101st Air Assault Screaming Eagles and the Army Golden Knights, lines formed for a chance to peak inside cockpits.
Staff Sgt. David Harris, 8th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, enjoyed watching the full-scale battalion air assault, rather than the training segments he frequently sees.
"You never get to see it all at once," he said.
Aviation battalions demonstrated the air assault in Kiowa Warriors, Apaches, Black Hawks and Chinook helicopters.
Apaches flew in, scouring the airfield to neutralize any threats before soldiers rappeled to the battlefield. Black Hawks dropped Howitzer "big guns" into position and brought in attack forces. Chinooks with sling-loaded Humvees followed, and troops mounted machine guns on the armored vehicles. Finally infantry lined the airfield's tarmac and readied for battle.
Retired military members were impressed with the new technology as well as a few reminders of their past.
The Air Force's A-10 Warthog demonstration with a vintage bomber captured the attention of Vietnam veteran Joe Mezzotante.
The A-10 demonstration included high-speed passes, tight turns and target attack.
"We had high-tech B-52 bombers. These can drop a B-52 out," Mezzotante said.
The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation also performed a Vietnam-era air assault, while carrier aircraft dropped troopers from the 101st, replicating a World War II air drop.
Clarksville resident John Smith, who is retired from the Air Force, admired the F-16 fighter jets on display.
"Can't believe these guys jumping out of perfectly good aircraft," he joked, referring to the Army's jumps.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040620/localnews/682766-307460.jpg
A member of the Golden Knights Parachute demonstration team does a spiral with a stream of smoke before making a landing at the air show.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040620/localnews/682766-307461.jpg
Soldiers move into position during the air assault demonstration at the Air Show at Campbell Army Airfield Saturday. The show capped "Week of the Eagles."
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040620/localnews/682766-307462.jpg
Chief Warrant Officer Eugene Murphy, left, tells Ellis Clippinger how to get out of the Longbow Apache on display at Campbell Army Airfield.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040620/localnews/682766-307463.jpg
The jet engine on a C-5 Transport provided some shade for people watching the air show.
Aircraft enthusiasts of all ages climbed in various Apache helicopters at Campbell Army Air Field Saturday and pointed to every button, gear and screen -- all sharing the same question.
"They know a lot about them already -- they always ask how to fire the missiles," said Chief Warrant Officer Chris Estrapa, 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment.
Between 20,000 and 30,000 spectators came to the free air show, which included a full-scale modern air assault with about 500 soldiers and pyrotechnics, a fair for kids and hundreds of wheel and track vehicles and aircraft on display.
The Week of the Eagles celebration highlighted the history and legacy of the 101st Airborne Division through shows and events, culminating in Super Saturday's air show and concert. The show was open to the public, though the concert featuring headliners George Strait, Vince Gill and Richard Marx entertained only military and their families.
Between demonstrations performed by fighter aircraft and parachute teams from the 101st Air Assault Screaming Eagles and the Army Golden Knights, lines formed for a chance to peak inside cockpits.
Staff Sgt. David Harris, 8th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, enjoyed watching the full-scale battalion air assault, rather than the training segments he frequently sees.
"You never get to see it all at once," he said.
Aviation battalions demonstrated the air assault in Kiowa Warriors, Apaches, Black Hawks and Chinook helicopters.
Apaches flew in, scouring the airfield to neutralize any threats before soldiers rappeled to the battlefield. Black Hawks dropped Howitzer "big guns" into position and brought in attack forces. Chinooks with sling-loaded Humvees followed, and troops mounted machine guns on the armored vehicles. Finally infantry lined the airfield's tarmac and readied for battle.
Retired military members were impressed with the new technology as well as a few reminders of their past.
The Air Force's A-10 Warthog demonstration with a vintage bomber captured the attention of Vietnam veteran Joe Mezzotante.
The A-10 demonstration included high-speed passes, tight turns and target attack.
"We had high-tech B-52 bombers. These can drop a B-52 out," Mezzotante said.
The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation also performed a Vietnam-era air assault, while carrier aircraft dropped troopers from the 101st, replicating a World War II air drop.
Clarksville resident John Smith, who is retired from the Air Force, admired the F-16 fighter jets on display.
"Can't believe these guys jumping out of perfectly good aircraft," he joked, referring to the Army's jumps.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040620/localnews/682766-307460.jpg
A member of the Golden Knights Parachute demonstration team does a spiral with a stream of smoke before making a landing at the air show.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040620/localnews/682766-307461.jpg
Soldiers move into position during the air assault demonstration at the Air Show at Campbell Army Airfield Saturday. The show capped "Week of the Eagles."
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040620/localnews/682766-307462.jpg
Chief Warrant Officer Eugene Murphy, left, tells Ellis Clippinger how to get out of the Longbow Apache on display at Campbell Army Airfield.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040620/localnews/682766-307463.jpg
The jet engine on a C-5 Transport provided some shade for people watching the air show.