Boise, ID

I have probably been to most every air show in the area for thirty plus some years. But one of the most spectacular and FREE events of the year is always held at Mountain Home Air Force Base. The last one was in 2005, so watch the papers during the summer. It’s something you won’t want to miss!!

This year, Gunfighter Skies-2008 commenced on Saturday Sept. 13th and ended on Sunday, the 14th. (Something to note on future events…(Usually the Thunderbirds only perform the full show during the last day)!

We took three of our very young grandchildren to the last one, which I believe was back in 2005. They enjoyed it immensely, until one of the Air Force Thunderbirds, Flight Demonstration Team happened to crash right in front of us. Even with that, the little guys had a blast. (Image Thunderbird Crash, Public Domain)

This year, it was just my youngest son, Bob and I who went. We left home early, and headed out I-84 toward Mountain Home. Rather than going through town, we used a little known shortcut to the back of the base, called Simco Road. About halfway to the base, we spotted a huge Golden Eagle next the road. I should have stopped and taken a photo, as it was the largest Eagle I have seen in many years. Other than the eagle, it was a lonely, desolate drive from Simco road and the freeway to the airbase.

Within a half hours time, we arrived at a main gate near the West end of the airfield. A security guard checked us in and we drove slowly to a parking area on the east end of the base. Once parked, we hopped one of the many shuttle buses which dropped us off at a security point. (Parked Thunderbirds, Image Copyright GrandpaVee-2008)

After that we wandered down the flight line. In past years, I would have taken a spot, along the rope line, and just in front of the parked Thunderbirds. This year though, I opted for a shady spot under an aircrafts wing. We quickly set up our chairs, then headed off to view the many static displays. (Note to future shade seekers…We camped out under a C-130‘s wings, only to be moved back under the heat of the sun, because of a leaking tip tank on the aircraft….Overflow from the heat, as it was explained to me. (F-15 Eagle, Image Copyright GrandpaVee-2008)

Being a long time aircraft nut and Air Force guy, I took pictures of every aircraft on display. Some of the aircraft we saw, were a Marine Corp’s F-16 Flying Falcon, a Navy F-18 Super Hornet, an A-10 Warthog, (Similar to those stationed at Gowen Field in Boise), a C-17 Cargo Jet, and the newest member, a F-22 Raptor-the newest stealth jet fighter in the Air Force’s inventory.

But perhaps my best aircraft was a B-25 Mitchell-rescued out of a salvage yard in San Antonio and rebuilt to flight status.

If you’re not aware of aviation history, a flight of B-25’s launched from an aircraft carrier during WWII were the first American bombers to attack Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Or maybe the name Jimmy Doolittle and the Tokyo Raiders may ring a bell! (B-25 Mitchell, Photo Copyright GrandpaVee-2008)

The show started with stunt pilot, Suzanne Ashbury in her Oliver, DHC-1. The morning progressed with a Gunfighter F-15E flyby, a Navy F-18 Hornet flight demonstration, which was awesome by the way, and even better Gunfighter Airpower demonstration with jets attacking a mock enemy.

Another awesome demonstration, was a flight of AH-60 gunships covering a Blackhawk, as it swept in to make a mock rescue. The noise was deafening and the acrobatic maneuvers of the choppers swooping in and out of the battle were something to see.
(Blackhawk Image, Copyright, GrandpaVee-2008)

Other stunt pilots performed feats of daring do, as loops, stalls, and rolls. A special show was the Wings of Blue-the Air Forces version of the famous Army Golden Knights. (Wings of Blue Image, Copyright GrandpaVee-2008)

The show concluded with several events. One of my favorites was the Heritage Flight. It included a flyby, with a formation including an F-15 jet, a now retired F-4 Phantom and a WWII, P-51 Mustang. The old WWII B-25 made several passes for us camera buffs, then came along the newer C-17 Cargo Plane which has short take-off and landing capability. Did I mention that the C-17 can go in reverse!!

Of course the cream of the crop was the USAF Thunderbirds. The last time we saw them, the show was interrupted by a crash and subsequently canceled. This time however, the show went off without a hitch. I have to say it was probably the best I have seen in all my years of air shows!