Aerospace exhibition entertains, informs during Air Force Week Los Angeles

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates
  • Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
LOS ANGELES (AFPN) --  Dominik Goldschmidt was in heaven. He loved anything to do with airplanes and today was all about them.

The 9-year-old boy scout was attending the aerospace exhibition at the Long Beach airport, where he was able to see, touch and explore larger-than-life Air Force aircraft.

The two-day expo, called "Wings Over Long Beach," is part of Air Force Week Los Angeles, an event designed to educate the local population about the Air Force's capabilities and missions through various activities and exhibitions all over the Los Angeles area.

For Dominik, the event was eye-opening -- especially when he toured the KC-135 Stratotanker on display.

"These planes are awesome," he said. "And I had no idea the Air Force had planes that were basically flying gas tanks that refuel other planes in the sky."

His education didn't stop there, either. Dominik was also able to see and explore other Air Force aircraft, including a C-17 Globemaster III, a C-130 Hercules, an M-Q1 Predator Unmanned Aerial System and a B-52 Stratofortress. At each stop, he not only saw the aircraft, but learned about their capabilities and why each one was important to the Air Force's aerospace mission.

"That's what events like this are all about," said Tech. Sgt. Dorian Johnson, a boom operator for the KC-135 on display at the expo. "We're informing people about the Air Force and helping them understand what we do and how we do it."

In return, the event gave many people the chance to show their appreciation for what Airmen like Sergeant Johnson do on a daily basis.

"People have been coming up and thanking me all day," Sergeant Johnson said. "It's been a very positive experience."

One of those people, Harold Tucker, has been coming to air shows all his life.

"I enjoy looking at all the planes, and I'm always amazed how our technology changes," said the 63-year-old. "And believe me, I've seen a lot of changes in my time."
Some of these changes were on display. A P-51 Mustang and an F-16 Fighting Falcon were both part of the exhibit, giving attendees a glimpse of the Air Force's storied past and its intimidating present.

On some, the impact of this event was obvious.

"I want to be a pilot," said Harrison Thomas, an 8-year-old attending the event. "I want to fly one of these jets."

For others, the impact was more subtle.

"I have a new respect for the Air Force," Mr. Tucker said. "Of course, every time I come to one of these shows, I seem to be more amazed than I was at the last one. Who knows what I'll be looking at a few years from now."

Dominik does.

"The Air Force will have faster jets," he said, "oh, and better submarines."

Other Air Force Week Los Angeles activities include an Air Force Film Festival and a free concert performed by the Air Force Band of the Golden West at the historic Warner Grand Theater.

For Air Force Week details or online film festival reservations, visit www.airforceweeklosangeles.com.

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