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Show Hilltop HILLTOP TIMES TIMES July 3, 2014 5 lo liromiAR111lv Show From 1 F-35 aircraft on display. However, to prevent secrets from being leaked about military technology, the two planes were cordoned off by security, allowing the public to get only within about 20 feet of the noses of the planes. No matter. It seemed everyone at the event was wearing a smile and a sunburn, with the exception of a few crying babies, likely because of the noise of the planes. "I try to make it every year they are here," North Ogden resident Dave Cobb said of the air show. Being a retired Two From 1 and demonstrators. The performers included the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team — one of only three Department of Defensesanctioned aerial demonstrations teams — alongside the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Before hopping into the plane, the Golden Knights parachute jumpers prepared for their descent at 9,000 feet from a C-31 by giving their performance a dryrun on land, putting on all of their jumping gear and strapping themselves next to the open doors at the back of the plane. After circling around their landing site and checking wind conditions, the plane became a party-like atmosphere, with jumpers singing, cheering and head bumping. It was then a mass exodus as all of the jumpers exited from the two open doors at the same time, leaving behind a plume of red smoke from their smoke canisters attached to their feet. Right before jumping, Sgt. 1st Class Teigh Statler said, "What we do gives the American public a chance to interact with the Army and sheds a different light than what people normally see, and lets aircraft electrician, Cobb said he has always had an interest in planes. "They're all pretty good," he said of the list of performers, "but I like seeing the older planes." Cobb arrived an hour before the air show began in order to get a good view of the flight line. His friend, Bountiful resident John Wright, who serves in the Air National Guard, seemed to be loving it all. "I love it — all the aircraft, all the people, the beer," he said. Ariel Williams, an 85-year-old volunteer at the Hill Aerospace Museum in Roy, said he had to come over to the base to see what was going on. Dressed in an Air us get our love for the military and country out to them." At the heart of the show were the Thunderbirds, who came thundering across the crowd in all their red, white and blue glory, making sure to put the crowds' earplugs and ear covers of all shapes and sizes to good use. There were oohs and aahs from the crowd, but the real emotion came when the team dedicated several of their maneuvers in honor of today's military members and their families. One of the maneuvers included a smoke trail as the Thunderbirds climbed up in a warrior loop, leaving behind a heart shape, which lit the crowd up with cheers and applause. The show brought out some emotion for Cherryl Beveridge, of Sandy. "Watching this makes me proud to be an American and helps me recognize and remember that people give up their lives, even just to join the military to defend us. And this reminds us that this is reality for our men and women who could be called up to war at any time." Reaping the benefit of the air show were the host of recruiter tables from all facets of the military. One of the well-visited stations was the Air National Guard trailer, where people could register for a dog tag and participate in basic BENJAMIN ZACK/Standard-Examiner The Hill Air Force Base Open House and Base Air Show kicked off with a performance by the Golden Knights June 28-29. Force blue shirt and cap, and chomping on a hot dog, Williams told of how he had been a flight surgeon in the Air Force. "I've been up in a number of them," he said of the planes. "Things with wings. I like them," he said, and that includes birds, as bird-watching is another of his hobbies. And then there are those first-time attendees. "I think it is awesome," said Kearns resident Alison Hogan, who was attending the show with her brother Aaron Thompson, of Salt Lake City. "I have been up here a couple of times," said Thompson, who was introduced to air shows by his late father, Alvie. "The Thunderbirds are amazing. I saw them 30 years ago with my dad. The draw is always the Thunderbirds." And then there was Orem resident Jared Osborn, who, much like Alvie Thompson before him, saw the need to bring his children, all five of them, to the air show. "We thought it would be good for the kids," said Osborn, whose wife, Melissa, has a mother in the Air National Guard. Another first-timer was Eureka resident Matthew Garbett, whose wife persuaded him to make the 90-mile trek to see the show. "I enjoy planes," Garbett said, trying to cool himself with a crushed ice treat, while wife Lyndsay and their 4-year-old son, Corey, were enjoying their treats under the shade of an umbrella mom was holding. "Being a military brat," Lyndsay said, she is a regular at air shows. And as for Corey, who seemed to be engulfed in his ice treat, Mom said, "He loves airplanes." BRIAN WOLFER/Standard-Examiner The Thunderbirds perform in front of a crowd at Hill Air Force Base June 28-29. training. Participants did as many push-ups, pullups and sit-ups as they could and learned about career opportunities through interactive videos, which let them experience putting on virtual uniforms, before participating in a reconnaissance challenge. Skyler Coomer, 16, of West Valley City, finished up the challenges and said it was good experience for his goal to join the U.S. Air Force. "This has taught me a lot, and especially seeing the airplanes flying in the air makes me even more excited to join the Air Force." 0\CUSNSOE 'MOOS BRIAN WOLFER/Standard-Examiner More than 500,000 people attended the Hill Air Force Base Open House and Air Show June 28-29. |