Wings Over Wayne 2011

Seymour Johnson AFB, Goldsboro, North Carolina
April 16-17, 2011

I had always wanted to attend the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Open House and Air Show but never had the opportunity because of scheduling conflicts. Everything fell into place this year and I was able to visit Wings Over Wayne, the official name for the weekend event. The base is located in the Goldsboro vicinity of Wayne County in North Carolina, hence the Wings Over Wayne moniker. The facility is named after Navy test pilot and Goldsboro native Seymour Johnson and is home to the 4th Fighter Wing consisting of four F-15E Strike Eagle squadrons in addition to KC-135R Stratotankers of the 916th Air Refueling Wing.

Announcing this year’s show was Hugh Oldham. Oldham has been narrating for over 30 years and definitely knows what he’s talking about! Saturday started very windy and the organizers did a tremendous job of re-arranging the schedule and putting some birds in the air before suspending operations shortly before noon due to the threat of severe weather. The die-hard fans that decided to brave the conditions were able to see the Army Golden Knights Black Demonstration Team and a four-ship F-15 Strike Eagle fly-by open the abbreviated show. Other performers who managed to get airborne were Lee Lauderback in the P-51 “Crazy Horse 2” of Stallion 51, F-4 Phantom East, A-10 East flown by Major Dylan "HABU" Thorpe and the hometown F-15E Strike Eagle, crewed by Major Mike “Cash” Maeder and Captain Steven “BUDA” Bofferding. The P-51, F-4, A-10 and F-15E closed out the flying for Saturday with the Air Force Heritage Flight.

Sunday morning arrived with blue North Carolina skies, a light breeze and comfortable temperatures - perfect weather for any show. The base quickly began filling-up with people and they would not be disappointed! Opening the show was the Army Golden Knights Black Demonstration Team and the flag jump, followed by a four-ship F-15 Strike Eagle fly-by. As the Golden Knights C-31A Friendship jump aircraft and the Strike Eagles recovered, the next act was inbound from the right. The Sky Soldiers Demonstration Team appeared, flying two Bell AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters. Pilots CW-3 Patty Meek (retired) and Lieutenant Colonel Peyton DeHart (retired) put the Cobras through their paces for almost 15 minutes, demonstrating actual combat helicopter flight maneuvers!

Once the Sky Soldiers had exited the area, fans were treated to a brief formation aerobatics session with Matt Chapman flying the Eagle 580 (which is actually a customized Mudry Cap 231EX) and Rob Holland in the MX2. Chapman and Holland would both return to the sky later in the day to perform their individual acts, but it was quite a treat to see them in the air together! With their combined routine finished, those in attendance were transported back in time to the morning of December 7, 1941. Seven aircraft from Tora! Tora! Tora! flew in from the left for the start of their performance. Complete with the sounds of battle, the smell of smoke in the air and multiple explosions, the entire Tora! Tora! Tora! team did an incredible job of portraying the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor!

After the Tora! Tora! Tora! demonstration had ended, Randy Ball took to the skies in the MiG-17F. This particular MiG-17F entered service with the Soviet bloc in March of 1960 and was in active service until May of 1990! Ball spent almost four years restoring this “Fresco” and the crowd murmured in awe as he flew past, engaging and disengaging the afterburner.

With Randy Ball’s MiG-17F performance complete, it was now time for the Combined Arms Demonstration. This demonstration included a single KC-135R Stratotanker, four F-15E Strike Eagles and two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft. The first element appeared overhead as the Stratotanker simulated an air-to-air refueling of a Strike Eagle with his wingmen in tow. The F-15Es and A-10s then proceeded to demonstrate real-world battlefield tactics used to attack and secure an enemy airfield!

Next up was Matt Younkin in the Twin Beech 18. This is one of the most unique acts on the show circuit today and is always a joy to watch! Younkin’s flying, coupled with the music, billowing smoke and sights and sounds of the Twin Beech make this an amazing performance one won’t soon forget.

Following Matt Younkin was the Air Force "Hour of Power" segment. This included Lee Lauderback in the P-51 “Crazy Horse 2” of Stallion 51, F-4 Phantom East, Major Dylan "HABU" Thorpe in the A-10 East demonstration and Major Mike “Cash” Maeder and Captain Steven “BUDA” Bofferding in the F-15E Strike Eagle demonstration. The P-51, F-4, A-10 and F-15E then took part in the Air Force Heritage Flight.

Finally, it was time for the headlining act – the Air Force Thunderbirds! With the beautiful weather that was present, the team was able to execute their “high” show which includes all of their maneuvers. Wings Over Wayne 2011 had concluded and I can’t wait until the next time. I’ll be there and I hope to see some of you as well!