Air Force big hit at big show

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Chuck Roberts
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, England (AFPN) --  Capt. Brett Clutter was not exactly sure what to expect as he traveled here in his B-52 Stratofortress from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., to participate in the Royal International Air Tattoo.

But as the big event got under way, it seemed like it was for him that the thousands of spectators were waiting eagerly outside the gate at the July 15 air show. When the gates opened he found himself quickly flooded among aviation enthusiasts young and old who were keen to learn more about him and his bomber.

"This is a great experience," said the instructor pilot assigned to the 96th Bomb Squadron. "The children I really enjoy. They are so informative and ask great questions."

As did the elder spectators who numbered among the more than 150,000 people expected for the two-day event featuring about 300 military and civilian aircraft from as far away as Australia. The adult visitors included Colin MacKenzie from Norwich, England, who, during a long plane-side chat with Captain Clutter, could not contain his surprise at his youthful appearance.

"That chap looks like he just done school," Mr. MacKenzie said again afterward while strolling to the other static displays that included numerous U.S. military aircraft assigned to Europe and the United States. When the 29-year-old captain told Mr. MacKenzie that his seven-year military career included stints as a pilot in Afghanistan and Iraq, Mr. MacKenzie remarked, "it's just incredible."

Captain Clutter, who said the same observation about his youthful appearance had been expressed by many that day, also received a surprise of his own at the historical knowledge of the many British people he met who were aware of numerous historical aspects of the Stratofortress.

"There is a lot of sentimental meaning to this plane for a lot of people," he said after hearing stories from relatives with ties to the B-52 as a maintainer, those who have witnessed its deployment to England over the years in support of various contingencies, and stories of lives saved on the battlefield by the B-52 during crucial moments.

Such encounters come as no surprise to Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop, the U.S. Air Forces in Europe vice commander, who commented on the strong ties between the U.S. and England moments after his arrival at the show July 15.

General Bishop said it was an "honor and a privilege" to participate in the air show and showcase U.S. Air Force capabilities and continue strengthening its relationship with the British people.

RIAT, as the show is commonly called, dates back to 1971 as a means of raising money for the Royal Air Force Association. It is intended to inspire air mindedness in young people, promote the excellence of the RAF and raise money for the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, which distributes funds to support the work of a wide range of RAF charities.

The small base populace at RAF Fairford plays a key role in making the show happen, said Col. Paul Wuebold, commander of the 420th Air Base Group here.

"We're not a large installation personnel-wise, but the spirit of the people more than makes up for that," the colonel said of the base community that helps comprise the approximately 3,000 volunteers counted on each year. "When you have a collective team with that much energy and that much spirit, it means nothing but success for the entire air show."

The show got off to a cold and windy start, but by mid-morning sunny blues skies greeted attendees strolling about the vast show ground requiring more than four miles of fencing, about 30 miles of rope and about 10,000 cones to convert the military air field into an air show venue.

The venue included flying displays from the U.S. military such as the B-1B Lancer from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, the B-52 from Barksdale, and the VMX-22 Osprey from Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C.

The show provided a welcomed break for some aircrew members such as Capt. Chris Haines, a navigator for the MC-130P Combat Shadow on static display. Captain Haines volunteered to participate in the show from his base at RAF Mildenhall, where he is assigned to the 67th Special Operations Squadron.

"It's nice to come and talk to kids and see them get so excited about what we do -- it re-energizes you," said the captain. "It's unreal how excited the British people get about our aircraft. It's like nothing I've ever been to."