GOLDSBORO.—”Very organized, beautiful, the technology of the United States Air Force is impressive,” said Diego Zea, a Colombian tourist at the “Wings Over the Air” show held over the weekend in Goldsboro.
Arriving from Colombia, he arrived in Clayton on Friday, May 19 to visit his family. Accompanied by his son, daughter and grandson, he prepared for his first trip to Seymour Johnson AFB in North Carolina in the early hours of Saturday, May 20.
For three hours, he appreciated the coordination of the pilots and the logistics of the air show.
“It was standing in line for an hour to enter the show,” said his daughter Valeria, who thought everything was “very cool”. His son Diego enjoyed barging in with his dad as he won Marine T-shirts.
Air Show
The national anthem, accompanied by the sound of airplanes in the air, marked the beginning of the largest free air show in North Carolina at Simard Johnson Military Base.
On Saturday May 20, before 8am, hundreds of motorists lined up to see and hear the powerful planes. The aircraft evoked emotion, shouts, cheers and applause among thousands of people gathered at one place.
However, dozens of people had the same complaint: lines as long as three hours in the morning, which prevented entire families from entering, sparking anger over the loss of time and money.
In contrast, for others, entry was reduced by an hour at 11 a.m. when the entrance was fast.
Family fun
Once inside, children and adults alike enjoyed a show by the United States Navy’s Blue Angels, an F-22 Raptor, a USMC C-130J Fat Albert Super Hercules, a combined arms display from the F-16 Viper, and a show by Rob Holland. Carbon fiber MX aircraft and Tora Tora Tora recreation of Pearl Harbor.
Without a doubt, Lt. Amanda Lee of Minnesota, the first female fighter pilot in the Blue Angels aircraft demonstration squadron, was most admired for her performance.
Music, food, drink, performances, contests and entertainment in the 40,000-square-foot hangar were just some of what attendees enjoyed on the first day of the air show.
Military base
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is home to Air Combat Command’s 4th Fighter Wing, one of the most famous in American history, celebrating 78 years of service.
“Two Air Force Reserve units also reside here: the 916th Air Refueling Wing and the 414th Fighter Group. Seymour Johnson AFB’s mission is to deliver premier Strike Eagle airpower anytime, anywhere.”
