National Air and Space Museum family day wows visitors

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
CHANTILLY, Va. (AFPN) --  More than 17,000 people got an up close and personal look at several civilian and military aircraft during the "Reach for the Sky" family day at the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center here June 16.

The event paid tribute to the Air Force's 60th Anniversary celebration, and featured a "Living Legends" panel of current and former Airmen to talk about their experiences as well as static displays of trainers, mobility and combat aircraft.

"It's a blast getting to talk to people about my job," said Capt. Britt Warren, an A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., who used to live in nearby Woodbridge, Va. "I'm from here, so to get to come back and tell them about the Air Force is really rewarding.

"Most civilians are so separated from the military, but shows like this break down that barrier and they get to meet us and understand us better," he said.  "We're their military; we keep them safe, they should know more about us and airshows give us that opportunity."

In addition to the static displays, visitors could talk to pilots, design their own Air Force patch, learn about the history and science of flight and even get aviation books signed by the authors.

The Air Force also had a special 60th Anniversary booth for people to learn more about the history of the service and its mission.

"Airshows are great for kids and I've always loved coming to them," said Gavin Lindberg, whose father was a navigator in the Air Force. "It's always impressive to see the jets. I think the C-17 (Globemaster III) is the biggest plane my son has seen, so he really liked that."

Everyone has his or her favorite plane, Mr. Lindberg said. Like the Lindberg's, Asra Ahmad and Annie Jayatilake, both age 12, loved looking around the inside of the Globemaster. For Rob Gallagher, 13, it was seeing the unique design of the Marines' MV-22 Osprey. For Ender Tungay, 15, it was the A-10 and talking to Captain Warren.

"He was really nice and answered all my questions," Ender said. "I hope I can one day get my pilot's license and learn to fly. Who knows, maybe one day I'll get to be a pilot at an airshow and talk to people about jets."

The Udvar-Hazy Center serves as an annex to the main museum on the National Mall and together the two feature the largest display of air and space exhibits in the world.

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