Rhode Island National Guard Open House and Airshow, North Kingston, RI June 23-24, 2007

Story and photography by Jim Deveney

 

  The New England area becomes abuzz each year as the date nears for this show. This year's show, held June 23 & 24, would feature the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. After an almost complete washout last year, the organizers were hoping for better weather, and Mother Nature listened. What they received was two absolutely beautiful sunny days with temperatures in the mid 70’s.

  Having always featured the best of the best, this year proved to be no different. The show opened each day with the traditional airshow opening as the USASOC Black Daggers performed a flag jump with Sean D. Tucker in his Oracle Challenger circling the flag jumper as the national anthem played. Sean then performed his morning teaser routine which showed everybody in the crowd that from the beginning, this was not going to be just any ordinary airshow. Saturday proved that as the U.S. Air Force displayed its newest fighter and ACC Demo Team. The F-22A Raptor Demo Team appeared piloted by Maj. Paul “Max” Moga. Max had a minor mechanical difficulty which prevented him from executing his demo, but he was still able to do several level burner passes, climbing and twisting into the sky. Even though they didn’t see how unbelievably maneuverable this jet is, the crowd at Quonset Point was still cheering every pass.

  A couple of local people came to town, and they turned it upside down. The U.S. Navy proudly displayed their newest fighter jet with the appearance of the F/A-18F East Coast Super Hornet Demo Team from VFA-106 stationed at NAS Oceana flown by Nashua, New Hampshire native Lt. Dave “SH8” Cassalia with WSO Lt. Josh “JTITA” Hammond. Massachusetts native Michael Goulian showed why he is one of the best on the airshow circuit today tumbling around the sky in his Castrol sponsored Extra 300SHP.

  The always popular Combined Arms Demo returned this year. Even though there wasn’t any pyro, it was still enjoyable to see elements of the Rhode Island ANG in their C-130J Hercules, Rhode Island National Guard with their UH-60 Blackhawk and UH-1 Huey helicopters, and help from a couple of Massachussetts A-10’s from Barnes defend Quonset Point from hostile forces.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

  Matt Chapman in his Embry-Riddle sponsored CAP 580 and Michael Mancuso in his N.Y. Jet sponsored Extra 300L displayed a formation routine that was as graceful as the skies were blue. Nexplore sponsored Shockwave, a triple engine jet truck dragster, demonstrated to an appreciative crowd what raw power looks like on the ground racing Chapman and Mancuso, who would race Shockwave in an inverted formation. John Klatt tumbled through Quonset Point's blue skies each day in his Air National Guard Staudacher S-300D. Michael Hunter inspired everyone in the crowd as he flew aerobatics in his Flight For Diabetes Laser 230.

  The U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team, featuring Capt. Al “Jewel” Kennedy with WSO Capt. Jack “Woody” Stallworth, burned up the skies with their afterburners each day in an incredible display of power. The Strike Eagle formed up with Jim Beasley in his P-51D Mustang “Bald Eagle” each day to demonstrate the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight. (Saturday they were joined by the F-22A Raptor.) The Blue Angels took over the field each day with their usual dazzling demonstration of professionalism, precision, and power that they have become known for over the years, including a Fat Albert JATO shot on Saturday, one of a handful left before the JATO demonstration is gone forever.

  The Quonset Point airshow put on by the Rhode Island National Guard is supporting the Hasbro Children’s Hospital, the Special Olympics of Rhode Island, and other fine charities. This charitable event was an airshow fan's delight, and they already have people talking about next year. Congratulations Rhode Island National Guard.