Wings Over South Texas     NAS Kingsville 

Story by Eric Renth

A Kool Kingsville

   April 5 and 6 was the date for the 2008 NAS Kingsville airshow. While real world commitments affected the quantity of things, the quality of the show was nothing short of outstanding. It's always great to see the Blue Angels.

  The static display was small but the Navy and Air Force each had an F-16 Viper on hand. There were also three F/A-18 Hornets plus a good variety of trainer aircraft, including the T-45 Goshawk, T-34 Turbo Mentor, T-6 Texan II (USN version), plus a Beech T-44. The only helicopter  in attendance was an OH-58 Kiowa while the only warbird on display was a B-25 Mitchell.

  Still, Kingsville worked with the hand they were dealt and the flying displays were great. The Commanding Officer of NAS Kingsville, Capt. Phillip Waddington made some opening remarks, followed by the National Anthem. The Navy Leap Frogs parachute team opened the show to blue skies. They were followed by 79 year-young Jan Collmer in his Fina Extra 300. Folks, he can run rings around many teenagers I know. It's always good to see him fly. He was followed by the outstanding Rob Holland and his MX-2. This performance can easily remind you of the 20's barnstormers. We will be seeing more of Mr. Holland in the future folks.

  Dr. Rich Sugden did a great flight demo in the only airworthy FJ4 Fury still flying, followed by a mock dogfight with a MIG-15. Then came the always great USAF F-16 Viper West demo team. After showing what the Viper can do, it was joined by a QF-4E Phantom II out of Holloman AFB, New Mexico for some formation flying. Man, was it great to see a Rhino in flight again. Another trip back to the 1920s took place when Paul Fiala of the nearby King Ranch put his Great Lakes aerobatic biplane thru its paces. His loops and rolls were an attention getter. Another attention getter in the form of Tim Weber in his GEICO Extra 300 followed. He's always another great one to see in action. Then the Coast Guard did a simulated search and rescue mission in an HH-65 Dolphin. Then came a super hot demo by an F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-122 at NAS Lemoore, California. Nice and loud, they did themselves proud.

  Finally, Fat Albert of the Blue Angels followed with a full JATO demo, followed by the six F/A-18 demo Hornets. I had a chance to talk with some of the Blues team members. They are excited about a change for the 2009 season. This year will be the final chance to see the Blues in their workhorse F/A-18A and B models Boeing aircraft is modifying C and D model Hornets at their Cecil Field facility that the Blue Angels will fly next year. Hopefully, one of the retired A models will wind up at the Smithsonian. They were great again!

  After the Blues landed I had a chance to thank Capt. Waddington for the outstanding show. A huge thanks also to Mr. John Gagne and his hardworking staff in the base Public Affairs office.