The 2010 Lackland Airshow was held on Nov. 6 and 7, 2010.  Being there made me happier than a pig in his favorite mud pile; it was that good. This was to commemorate the 100th anniversary of military flight that had its start in San Antonio.

The static displays were outstanding with a highlight being an MQ-1 Predator drone (with dummy Hellfire missiles attached} from the 147th Wing of The Texas Air National Guard at Ellington Field in Houston. An F-16C of the TX ANG unit at Lackland was there along with a home based AF Reserve behemoth C-5A Galaxy that was on the ramp along with an F-5F Tiger, A-37 Dragonfly, C-130E Hercules and two UH-1N Hueys of the Inter American Air Force Academy also based at Lackland. An HH-60G Pavehawk from Kirtland AFB, an F-15E Eagle from Seymour Johnson AFB NC, a B-52H Buff from Barksdale AFB LA, a T-6A Texan II from Laughlin AFB, plus a T-1A Jayhawk and T-38C Talon from Randolph AFB TX and a Beech C-12C from Andrews AFB rounded out the USAF displays. NAS Lemoore sent an F/A-18C Hornet and NAS Jacksonville sent a P-3C Orion. A NATO E-3C Sentry came from Germany and Canada brought a CT-156 Harvard 2 from Moosejaw. The TX Army Guard at Austin Bergstrom brought a UH-60L Blackhawk.

Warbirds included the F-4U Corsair, B-29 Fifi, B-17, B-25 Mitchell, A-26, P-40, P-51, T-6 Texan, L17 Navion, CV-2 Caribou, A-1J Skyraider, two DC-3 Gooney birds, and OV-1 Mohawk. A Gulfstream that belonged to Lockheed Martin was also there. The P-38 Lightning Glacier Girl was another great static at the Lackland Airshow.

The flying started with a four ship F-16 flyby, followed by a combat control team parachute drop. Randy Ball then showed the MiG-17 Fresco off and it certainly showed what a dangerous foe it could be. Two F-15E Eagles did a very impressive turn up the noise flyby. Greg Poe showed his prowness in the Fagen MX-2 while Jason Newburg in his Pitts Viper biplane did a great follow on. The CAF Tora Tora Tora program came next with a very outstanding sight of B-29 Fifi take to the skies after a very long grounding. The roar of twin F414 engines in an F/A-18F Super Hornet showed the folks how those who fly off carriers do it. Such lovely noise! The always impressive Dan Buchanon, who will not let a bad thing in life ever stop him, did his inspiring glider demo. Yes, those who don't know, Dan uses a wheelchair when he's not up in the sky. He would be a great subject for Hollywood to look at.

A composite flyby of the T-1, T-6 and T-38 out of Randolph was very fine. The Army Golden Knights then dropped in from their Fokker C-31 transport. Then a nice journey to the yesteryear of WW2 Texas was witnessed as the Aeroshell Aerobatic team put three classic North American AT-6 Texans through their paces. More great noise came as the 5th generation F-22 Raptor hit the afterburners and showed folks not to mess with the USAF! Raw power my friends.

The climax of the show was the six F-16C Falcons of the Thunderbirds as they showed off 30 manuvers and showcased the teamwork and pride of the USAF. Always a breathtaking sight as these Block 52 birds show their stuff. Never, never dull.

Many thanks to Mr. Oscar Balladares and the great staff at the Lackland Public Affairs Office for their help and a great event.