First State Airshow 2024

[CultOfTheWyvern]

I see 'em every day, plus C-17s, but I still love to see them doing their thing!

[passedgas46]

I see 'em every day, plus C-17s, but I still love to see them doing their thing!

Same.

When we lived in Delaware we always saw the 166th do their thing with the C-130s. Every once in a while a Dover C-5M or C-17 would pop into ILG for some touch & goes. Otherwise, we saw them either climbing out of Dover or descending towards Dover if they were coming from/going towards the north.

We've since moved to NJ and we're now in a strange area for air traffic. Most of the places in this town have a lot of tree coverage around, ours has some, and it's just enough to where it doesn't obscure the sky. Most days (like today) with SW/W/NW winds we'll get PHL traffic if PHL gets busy as they'll start stacking out by our Lowe's/ShopRite; they're still at like 4,000 feet when they're overhead. When there's an easterly flow, we'll get McGuire traffic when they're doing extended pattern work and they're usually at like 2,000 feet. I admit to still "running" outside to see what's flying over even if it's just a KC-46 or C-17 or one of the C-32Bs - my work office is conveniently next to the back door for this reason. My parents have lived in Columbus for more than 40 years and they see nearly all McGuire traffic. That was fun to see growing up...

Back to our regularly scheduled every two year airshow at Dover...

Two years ago when they had both the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds they also had every branch of the Armed Forces represented in the flying display. That airshow took place on Armed Forces weekend, just like this year's airshow. Last year McGuire was on Armed Forces weekend and they had every branch covered (except the Navy, but you could include them as the Marine Corps has been a part of the Department of the Navy) in the flying display. So far at Dover we have the USAF covered (C-5M/C-17/F-35A/KC-135), the Army (Golden Knights), and the Coast Guard. Maybe there'd be something from the Navy and/or Marine Corps in the flying display?

[passedgas46]

We didn't get to go down to Dover AFB and the AMC Museum yesterday because of unforeseen circumstances. At least the museum isn't going anywhere!

One thing I did notice on the website was that a sealed bottle of water, one per person, and 100ml or less is allowed. That just has to be a typo - 100 ml is about 3.4 ounces.

[Cameron Walz]

F-15 Eagle Demonstration has been added. So it isn’t just a static display, it’s like it was at McGuire, only without a MA bird, I’m thinking SJ?

[Cameron Walz]

Can’t wait for diver honestly is better than McGuire last year.

[n33d4sp33d_85]

F-15 Eagle Demonstration has been added. So it isn’t just a static display, it’s like it was at McGuire, only without a MA bird, I’m thinking SJ?

The F-15 Eagle Demonstration will come from the 159th Fighter Wing of the Louisiana Air National Guard.

https://www.facebook.com/doverfss/posts ... CO%2CP-y-R

[passedgas46]

F-15 Eagle Demonstration has been added. So it isn’t just a static display, it’s like it was at McGuire, only without a MA bird, I’m thinking SJ?

Since n33d4sp33d_85 said it's coming from the Louisiana ANG, something tells me these guys (and gals) want to show off the F-15 as much as they can before the jets are retired or they transition to the F-15EX.

It makes me wonder what in the world happened with the MA ANG F-15 "demo". It was performed at McGuire last year and then that was it.

Can’t wait for diver honestly is better than McGuire last year.

I think you meant Dover... it's all good. McGuire last year with the C-17, F-15, and F-16 demos was nice. Same for the tankers and the USMC hardware. What I tell people is that McGuire can be treated like a hybrid beach airshow: While you do see the takeoffs and landings the layout of the base and the location of the main runway there is not airshow friendly.

McGuire's airshows really aren't what they used to be. Granted they were one-day shows back then but they were literal military showcases. You name it, it was either on display or flew. And man did the 108th put on a show back then with the F-105s and F-4s! With the KC-10 and KC-135 gone from McGuire, their base showcase is going to be just the C-17 and KC-46, and I hope all the USMC hardware participates, too.

Dover back then also put on good shows, but they weren't anywhere near what McGuire was putting on, especially in the late 70s and 80s. They didn't have the variety of aircraft based there - it's always been a C-5 base except for when I was a baby. Present day Dover airshows (I've been to all of them since 1999) have been fantastic, especially the last three. If I had only wish for this year's airshow it's that I wish the Navy would send something for the flying display. The F/A-18F, EA-18G, and F-35C demo teams don't have Dover on their schedules, but what about the E-2D out of Chambers?

[Cameron Walz]

MA F-15s are done with Airshows. After McGuire they stopped with their F-15C. Meaning the end for MA F-15s is nearer than we may think.

[jpujol]

Looks like the 1st Fighter Wing will send an F-22 for static display.

Langley is just too close to not send a jet.

[passedgas46]

MA F-15s are done with Airshows. After McGuire they stopped with their F-15C. Meaning the end for MA F-15s is nearer than we may think.

One article I've read stated the earliest the F-35As would arrive there is FY26, which begins on October 1, 2025.

A part of me, and I'm sure many of you would agree, had wished the demo at McGuire was seen at more shows, going into when the unit had to start divesting the jets.

Looks like the 1st Fighter Wing will send an F-22 for static display.

Langley is just too close to not send a jet.

I'd say that's a good assumption. They had one there in 2017 and again in 2022 - and I recall the 2017 static jet departing during the airshow that year.

The graphic on the Schultz Airshows' Event Page noted they wouldn't say where the military static displays were coming from, but from what I gather, the Delaware ANG is sending a newly decorated C-130H to the airshow.