Edwards
Air Force Base is a place that is steeped in military aviation history.
Many things have flown there for their first flights and tests. NASA
also has a flight test center at Edwards. The gates opened at 7:00 to a
chilly morning, somewhere around 40 degrees fahrenheit. By the
afternoon, it was in the high 80s. The show began at 10:00 AM with an
F-16 fighter taking off an climbing to altitude to break the sound
barrier, creating a sonic boom. It's a great way to re-awaken the early
comers who have been wandering about the static displays and to signal
the photographers to get into their positions. Plus it's just way cool
to hear a sonic boom! The F-22 did a short demonstration, as did most
of the aircraft featured at the show. A couple of highlights were the
USAF Heritage Flight with the P-51 Mustang, A-10 Warthog, F-15 Eagle
and the F-22 Raptor in formation and the Thunderbirds were in great
form. It is nice to see our military aircraft on display and to see
these sharp young airmen who fly and maintain them. It makes me proud
to be a veteran of the United States Air Force.
