For this challenge I chose some military aircraft images in honor of my father who was a United States Air Force pilot. Dad flew a B-24 Liberator during World War II. The header image is of a B-24 on display in Savannah, Georgia. Later in his career he also flew a B-17 and a B-47 like the ones on display at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler, Georgia. He also few a B-52 during his career.
B-17B-47B-52 image taken by my Dad
The following slideshow features U. S. Air Force and U.S. Navy military aircraft on display at air shows and at the U. S. Naval Aircraft Museum in Pensacola, Florida.
This post is dedicated to the memory of my father and all of the other men of the U. S. Army Air Corps who flew American bombers in Europe and the Pacific during World War II.
When I first saw Tina’s challenge “Taking Flight” my first instinct was to feature the hummingbirds and Monarch butterflies that are flying around my yard right now. But then I thought about my Dad and how he dedicated his life to flying airplanes for the U.S. Air Force. I decided to focus on his story instead.
My Dad grew up on a small farm high up in the Appalachian mountains of West Virginia. After high school, he left the farm to find work. He had a job installing sprinkler systems which involved traveling to different locations in the U.S.
He was working in Alabama when he enlisted in the Army after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He was told to go back to work and he would be notified of when and where he was to report. He was working on a job in Florida when he received his orders to report for Basic Training.
After completing the training the men were rated according to their ability. Dad was rated a Bomber Pilot. After flight training in various places around the country he received his wings in the Army Air Corps.
During World War II he was assigned to a base in Italy where he flew 50 missions flying the B-24 Liberator shown at the top of the page. Dad returned to the states without injury after he completed his 50 missions.
After the war, Dad made the United States Air Force his career. He flew various other airplanes throughout his career including B-52s in the 1950’s and 1960’s. He retired in the early 1970’s after about 30 years of service.
B52 – photo from one of Dad’s old slides
Flash forward to 2002. Dad and I had an opportunity to go to an exhibition which featured a restored B-24. My Dad was a big man and I was amazed at how small the inside of the plane actually was. I could only imagine how difficult it must have been for him to be in that plane for those long missions.
B24 Liberator Cockpit
I’m so grateful Dad and I had that day together. He loved seeing the plane and talking to people about his experiences.
One of few remaining B24 Liberators in 2002One of few remaining B24 Liberators in 2002
Whenever people would thank Dad for his service he would always say “I was just doing my job.”
WILD BLUE YONDER
Off we go, into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high, into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At ’em now, give ’em the gun!
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!
Nothing’ll stop the U. S. Air Force!
The U. S. Air Force Song, Updated Official Lyrics 1 May 2020
Earlier this spring, we took our RV to Montgomery, Alabama to see an air show at Maxwell Air Force Base which featured the USAF Thunderbirds. Three weeks later we made a day trip to the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina for their air show featuring the United States Navy’s flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels.
This was my first time on a Marine Corps station and my first time seeing the Blue Angels perform. It was a thrilling day from beginning to end.
Before the performances began we wandered around the static displays featuring historic and modern aircraft from the Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.
USMC Osprey
Spirit of America used in Berlin Airlift
Historic USAF Plane
USMC Helicopter
We were able to get up close to this USAF Thunderbird on display
We were able to snag front row seats beside the runway. That meant some of the planes went right in front of us as they taxied to their position for takeoff. The USMC AV-88 Harrier II and the F-16 Viper were just two of the military aircraft that performed impressive demonstrations.
The pilot waves to the crowd as he taxis down the runway before take off
The Wild Weasel
Hovering in front of the crowd
Refueling Demonstration
US Marine Corps Helicopter Demonstration
The Geico Skytypers and other performers kept us entertained for several hours.
Geico Skytypers at MACS Beaufort Air Show
Geico Skytypers at MACS Beaufort Air Show
Love when the planes fly upside down
These historic military planes put on a great show
The US Navy Blue Angels put on a fantastic show that wowed the crowd with each new formation. They flew by so fast it wasn’t until I got home and looked closely at my photos that I realized how really close together they fly. Their precision is just amazing.
U. S. Navy Blue Angels
I am so grateful we had the opportunity to see both the US Air Force Thunderbirds and US Navy Blue Angels this year. Both teams will be performing at more air shows around the United States this year. If you have a chance to see a show near you, it will be a day you always remember.
Wandering Dawgs 