Published: May 21, 2008 09:15 am      

Star Spangled Salute lifts off, thanks to volunteers

The Thunderbirds, static aircraft displays and a Pearl Harbor bombing reenactment are the must-sees of the 2008 Star Spangled Salute Air Show Saturday at Tinker Air Force Base, according to volunteer Wayne Hammon.

Hammon and his wife, Mary, are volunteering for the second year.

Hammon said you can see the aerial displays from just about anywhere in the crowd but that the best spot is near the runway.

“Tora, Tora, Tora,” the reenactment of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, includes real explosions that take place on the runway and demonstrates aerial dogfighting, Hammon said.

According to Margaret Mueller, volunteers are the backbone of putting on the event. Mueller who is the treasurer for the Eastern Oklahoma County Tourism Council, said the organization raises funds and recruits volunteers from each of the nine Eastern Oklahoma County communities — Tinker Air Force Base, Midwest City, Del City, Choctaw, Harrah, Nicoma Park, Jones, Luther and Spencer.

“It just wouldn’t happen without the volunteers we can draw in from our member cities,” she said.

The Eastern Oklahoma County Tourism Council partners with Team Tinker AFB and Aerospace America to sponsor the event. While the organization provides volunteers and fundraising, Team Tinker AFB and Aerospace America help line up the demonstrations, displays, entertainment and use of the base.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are the headline demonstration of the day. They began as the Air Force’s official air demonstration team in May 1953 and were activated at Luke Air Force Base. The Thunderbirds consist of 12 officers and more than 120 support personnel. They use five F-16 Fighting Falcons.

The F-15, F-18, AV-8 Harrier, Mig 17-F, F4 Wildcat, C-130 Hercules, B-25 Yellow Rose, F-22 Raptor and the American Airlines DC3 Detroit will be just some of the aircraft displays.

Tinker-serviced aircraft such as the E-3 Sentry, E-6 Mercury and KC-135 Stratotanker can be toured.

The evening is topped off by Richard Hight and the USAF Tops in Blue concert.



If you go

WHAT: 2008 Star Spangled Salute Air Show.

WHERE: Public access to the air show is through the Lancer Gate and designated gates off Douglas Boulevard. Limited parking on base. Overflow parking is available at the General Motors facility off I-240 exits Sooner Road or Douglas Boulevard. A free shuttle will transport you from the GM parking lot.

COST: Free.

SATURDAY SCHEDULE:

• 9 a.m.: Gates open to the public. There will be children’s activities, ground demonstrations, Air Force Honor Guard performances, static displays, vendors and exhibits.

• Noon: Aerial demonstrations begin.

• 4:30 p.m.: “Twilight on the Tarmac.”

• 7 p.m.: Tops in Blue concert.

• 9 p.m.: Star Spangled Salute ends.