Tax dollars I don’t mind spending - US Air Force

[wh500special 2,173]

This weekend was the Scott Air Force Base air show here in O’Fallon, IL. What used to be an almost annual event has been pared down in frequency over time, but it’s always an impressive showing of the men, women, and equipment that makes the US military the mightiest force in the world. 
 

The headliners were the US Navy Blue Angels with their locally-manufactured (Boeing- St Louis) F18’s but the other demos were equally impressive.  I especially liked the F22 and C17 demos.
 

I didn’t choose to spend much time watching the events through my viewfinder so I didn’t take a lot of pictures, but I did snap a few.  
 

My wife and I attended both days since we really wanted to see the Blue Angels perform and Saturday’s performance was cancelled due to an epic storm at showtime.  We live close enough to the base that we could have watched from our backyard, but it was worth enduring the 86 degree heat and extreme humidity today to see it up close. 
 

Scott Air Force Base turns 106 years old this year. The last show was in 2017 at the 100 year anniversary.   I believe it is still the only major military installation named after an enlisted serviceman, Corporal Frank S. Scott.  Scott was the first aircraft casualty in the US armed forces, having died in an aircraft crash in 1912. 
 

The base is the home of the Air Mobility Command which coordinates and controls just about every logistical movement of materiel for all the armed forces.  They are the FedEx of the military.  Not many assets are stationed here as the base of 15000 people is largely administrative, but blue and white C-40 congressional delegation planes and a fleet of KC-135 refuellers along with an assortment of small aircraft call the base home.  We’ve been fortunate where I work to have had projects run out of Scott through their medical evac wing

and KC135 programs.  
 

I know these events happen all over the US each year and if you’re given the opportunity to take in such an amazing exhibition I encourage you to go see how some of your tax money is spent. 
 

Steve

 

(the last picture is of the F22 flying with a P51)

Edited May 15, 2023 by wh500special

[wh500special 2,173]

Few more 

[oliver2-44 9,743]

Thanks, I always enjoy a good air show

We are fortunate to have a wing of the Confederate Air Force  near us in Burnet Texas.

They put on a great show every year.

[kpinnc 12,016]

Going to Seymour this weekend for the "same" show. We try to go every chance we get. I can't wait! 

[19richie66 17,500]

5 hours ago, kpinnc said:

Going to Seymour this weekend for the "same" show. We try to go every chance we get. I can't wait! 

I don’t live too far from the Seymour base. Maybe I will get to see some flyovers. They buzz my house every now and then. Always have some BlackHawks flying close by. I think we’re about 35 miles from there and 45 miles from Cherry Point. Always something flying over.

[Daddy Don 905]

19 hours ago, wh500special said:

Few more 

 

[Daddy Don 905]

I was in the Air Force from 1968 to 1972. Was the comanders crew chief on the F100 and the F-4 's. Loved the time and miss the days I spent on these jets.

Got to see a lot of the world and a lot of flying.  I love the air showes and when they come to Oklahoma City I  make sure I get to Tinker AFB and visit with

the pilots and crew chiefs.  I am 74 now and I will not miss an air show when they are close by. The grandkids love it to . 

 

You are lucky to get to see them now. They don't get to put on as many shows like they did in the past. 

Thanks for the pictures.  

[kpinnc 12,016]

Just got back last night from Seymour Johnson AFB. We had a great time, and as always the Blue Angels gave a great show!