The British are coming! And what a show they put on for the crowd at the Rhode Island Air National Guard Open House. The Red Arrows were certainly the highlight of this year’s show with their beautifully painted Hawk T1A jets. The contrast of 10 red display jets against the bright blue sky was so different from what we’re used to seeing in the states with the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. The team did not disappoint with precision maneuvers and breathtaking stunts! The Red White and Blue smoke really added to the display. 

   I guess I should mention that there were several other demonstrations preceding the Red Arrows performance. The Quonset Based C-23 took to the skies to get the jumpers to altitude which started the show. The marines put on an awesome demonstration showing the capabilities of their AV-8B Harrier jet. The Air Force was not to be outdone showing off their F-15E Strike Eagle based at Seymour Johnson AFB. LT “Catfish” Jope of the U.S. Navy put on a great show in his final air show performance demonstrating the F/A-18 Hornet.

  The combined arms demonstration included UH-60 Blackhawks, UH-1 Hueys and a C-130J. I certainly missed the A-10’s which did not participate in the show this year. The Quonset based C-130J demonstration had to be one of the best I’ve seen.

  Civilian performances included Julie Clark flying the T-34, Michael Goulian flying the Extra 300 and Sean D Tucker flying the Challenger II biplane.

  Saturday’s show included a flyby of a B-2 all the way from Whiteman AFB in Missouri while Sunday we watched a flyby of a B-52 rom Barksdale AFB in Louisiana.

  The Rhode Island show is always a must see and this year was certainly no different! I’ll be back again next year.