Ladies and Gents, the title says it all. The folks at Alliance did themselves proud on the weekend of 30 and 31 October 2010. It was that good.

The static displays really stood out. Nearby NAS Fort Worth was well represented with displays of the USAF F-16 Falcon and C-130 Hercules along with Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets. The Texas Army Guard at nearby Grand Prairie (the old NAS Dallas) brought a CH-47 Chinook. Other statics included an F-5N Tiger II from NAS Key West, two EA-6B Prowlers from Whidbey Island, a C-2 Greyhound from North Island, A Lemoore based F/A-18D Hornet, an Idaho A-10 Warthog, a Robins AFB based Marine AH-1 Sea Cobra, a Randolph T-1A Jayhawk, plus a T-6 Texan II and T-38 from Sheppard AFB. A T-45 Goshawk came from NAS Kingsville plus a B-52 Buff from Barksdale. The standout was a USAF CV-22 Osprey from Kirkland AFB NM. Civil birds included restord American Airlines DC-3 Flagship Detroit, a Boeing 777 from American, a Fedex Airbus

Other statics included some great warbirds including a CV-2 Caribou, OV-1D Mohawk, the CAF B-29 FIFI, AD-5 Skyraider, T-6 Texan, P-51 Mustang, and FM2 Wildcat.

Now to the flying! The Army Golden Knight C31 flew overhead as these elite folks jumped out in solo and tandem demos. Next on the ground was the Indy Boys jet powered outhouse. People were flushed with excitement on that one (sorry, folks, I couldn't resist). Dallas native and 75 year old recycled teenager Jan Collmer followed as his Fina Extra 300L took off to show youngsters how great flying gets done! Randy Balls MIG17 followed and showed moves that made allied airmen take note in VietNam and the Middle East, a dangerous foe in the right hands. Out of Shaw AFB came the F16 Viper East Demo and that never gets old, with its F110 engine saying "Come on, feel the noise!" Mike Goulain came next with sharp flying and reminded the crowd that these fliers qualify as athletes, as this requires intense training and concentration. Greg Poe and his Fagin MX2 tore up the sky with great aerobatics. As a teacher, I got a real kick out of the Indy Boys J79 jet powered school bus. You have to see to believe! Sean D. Tucker was there with his Oracle Challenge. What more can you say about this great master of the skies? If you love the P-51 Mustang, the Horsemen flew three of them!

Next was the first North Texas demo of the Hollman based F-22 Raptor. I have seen plenty of demos and this is one for the ages. As Tommy Chong says to Cheech Marin, "Whoa! Far out, man!" to which Cheech says "Right on, dude." The two F119 engines in the Raptor makle it a force to be reckoned with. The tail slide was amazing. Then the F-f22 joined an F-16 and -P51 for the Heritage Flight. Danny Clisham was the announcer, and did his usual outstanding job.

Fat Albert, the Marine Corps Blue Angel C-130 then showed the great maneuverability of the classic Herc with a STOL takeoff. Next came the show climax as the Navy F/A-18 Hornets of the Blue Angels showed the power of the twin F404 engines in each bird. The Blues are well into the conversion to the C and D version of the Hornet. Needless to say, they left the crowd wanting more. Their maintenance folks deserve a special salute.

The 2011 show should be a great one! Thanks you to Dave Pelletier and his wonderful staff for their hospitality.