2018 Rhode Island Air Show
Rhode Island Air Show North Kingstown, Rhode Island June 9th-10th, 2018
It was another great weekend for an air show in Rhode Island. The weather was beautiful Saturday morning, low 70’s, nice breeze and clear blue skies. A C-130J Hercules from the home 134th AW took off first with the US Naval Jump Team. This was their first time jumping at Rhode Island. While they did their climb, the TBV Avenger and F4U Corsair II performed some fly-bys.
Greg Coyer’s T-33 “Ace Maker” went up next for a short teaser as he had his longer routine right before the Blue Angels. The GEICO Sky Typers went up next, it was tough seeing they just lost a pilot a week prior in a crash in NY. The 134th AW went up for their C-130J 2 ship Demo. They dropped a crate to mock a supply drop and then the 2nd Herc came down and dropped off a HUMVEE and took off again.
The next demo up was the one I was so excited about and really made the air show for me. The Heritage Flight was always scheduled to be part of the show. It was going to be the F-35 Lightning piloted by Capt. Andrew “Dojo” Olson and a P-51 Mustang flown by Andrew McKenna.
There was a late addition of the F-16 Viper Demo to the show, piloted by Maj. John “Rain” Waters. He came in late on Friday so he had to practice his demo after the Blues landed. The F-35 went up with him then and they made multiple passes. On Saturday they stuck to their Heritage Demo of 3 passes after the F-16 demo was finished.
Mark Murphy went up in his P-51 Mustang “Never Miss” with the F-4U Corsair II flown by Charles Lynch. Then came the Shockwave Jet Truck, which was followed by Michael Goulian, Sean D Tucker. This is Sean’s last year performing at air shows the announcer stated. Greg Coyler went back up with his T-33 and then it was time for the Blue Angels. They didn’t have Fat Albert which was ground for maintenance issues. Because the clouds rolled in around noon time, the Blues had to do their low show. Still a lot of speed, but not much vapor which was a letdown.
Thanks so much to the 143rd PAO for allowing me the media access on Friday and for putting on a great show.