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Base prepares for first air show since 2004
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By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
WESTOVER ARB The "crown jewel of the east coast air shows" will return to Westover Air Reserve Base on Sept. 6 and 7 and base officials gave the area business leaders and the media a preview of the show last week.
Because of the demands on the base due to the war on terror, the base has not had an air show since 2004.
Col. Michael Marten, vice wing commander of the 439th Airlift Wing, said the air show "is always a big event."
"It's a lot of hard work, but a lot of fun. This will be the best one in 15 years," he added.
Marten said that in the past a three-day air show has attracted one million people. This year's two-day show is expected to draw at least a half-million people. He said that while traffic on roads in Chicopee leading to the base may become congested, the free event has proven to be a boon to local businesses.
This year's show will feature the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's precision flying team, as well as static displays of a number of aircraft, in current military use as well as vintage planes, he said. There will be parachute teams, wing walkers, and even a jet-propelled truck.
"Our show has something for everybody," he said.
An additional theme of the show this year is the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Air Force Reserve.
The free show will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Marten explained the current show grew out of base open houses that were conducted on Armed Forces Day. The open houses, which were just for military personnel and their families, were replaced by an air show conducted every other year.
"It started to be a big event in the 1980s," he added.
Marten said the Galaxy Community Council, the civilian non-profit group that supports activities at the base, has been instrumental in making the show happen. The group raises the money to pay for the non-military acts and exhibits. The budget this year for the non-military attractions is $240,000, according to the Galaxy Community Council's Web site.
"They do it for all the right reasons," Marten said.
The air show provides a lot of local and regional exposure for the base, Marten said, which is necessary for the base to build local support.
For more information on the air show, log onto its Web site at www.greatnewenglandairshow.com.
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