Air Show Report : Rhode Island Air Show 2010

Rhode Island National Guard Open House Air Show 2010

The Rhode Island National Guard open house and airshow on June 26-27 this year was the show's 20th Anniversary. Photo report by Dave O'Brien of the aircraft displays at Quonset ANGB, which included the USAF Thunderbirds.

Rhode Island National Guard
Open House Air Show 2010
North Kingstown, RI

2010 celebrated the 20th Anniversary for the Rhode Island ANG Base hosting this Air Show. This has always been the show that brings the New England Air show enthusiast out of hibernation. The weather on Friday and Saturday was beautiful, with Friday winning out over the two with nice blue skies and white puffy clouds.

The acts this year consisted of Michael Goulian in his newly painted ASB.TV Extra 330. Other civilian acts were John Klatt sponsored by the Air National Guard where John is still a weekend F-16 pilot. Sean D Tucker wowed us with his Oracle Challenger Bi-plane Pitts Special. Something new this year for Rhode Island was the Red Bull Air Force Sky Diving Team and Chuck Aaron piloting the Red Bull BO-105 helicopter. Vandy 1 is a L-39 sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project.

On the Military Demo side we had the East Coast A-10 Demo team piloted by Major Johnnie "Dusty" Green, they are based out of Pope AFB. With New England losing two A-10s units to BRAC closures, it was nice to hear the sound of the Hog in our skies again. Following the A-10 were the VFA-106 Gladiators from NAS Oceana in the F-18C Hornet. The home unit, 143rd Airlift Wing, took to the sky in their C-130J Hercules for its own demo and then again in the Combined Arms Demo. This year's jump team were the USASOC Black Daggers.

The field was then cleared for the headliners of the 2010 Air Show, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The six Thunderbirds in their Red, White and Blue F-16s took over the air show box displaying their talent of keeping 3 ft between these aircraft while pulling over the top precision maneuvers. It was another great show performed by the Thunderbirds who I got to see close out the season last year at their home, Nellis AFB, see Nellis Air Show – Aviation Nation 2009.

I would like to thank the 143rd AW and their Public Affairs Office for their hospitality on June 26 and 27.

The next Rhode Island National Guard open house airshow is planned for June 25 and 26, 2011, featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstration team. Of course this information is subject to confirmation by the organiser and the final 2011 Blue Angels schedule.