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Great New England Air Show opens Aug. 4
July 17,
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A MV-22 Osprey (top) will be among the 60 aircraft on exhibit at this year's Great New England Airshow. The Army's Black Daggers (bottom) will be among the many performers featured at the show on Aug. 4 and 5 at Westover Air Reserve Base. Reminder Publications submitted photos
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By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
CHICOPEE — After an absence of four years, the Great New England Air Show returns to Westover Air Reserve Base on Aug. 4 and 5.
"This is one of the premiere events in New England," Mayor Michael Bissonnette said at the press conference announcing this year's show.
Featuring more than 60 aircraft, the event is being dedicated to "The Greatest Generation" with special accommodations made to veterans of World War II, according to Bissonnette. Interested vets from throughout the area should call his office at 594-1500 for details.
United States Air Force Lt. Col. David Heroux, the base's coordinator for the show, which is produced in cooperation with the Galaxy Communications Council, said it is one of the largest in the nation and will feature WWII re-enactors and equipment this year.
Also new this year will be an exhibit of five of the aircraft that have been stationed at the base from its opening in 1940. On display will be a B-52 Stratofortress, a KC-135A Stratotanker, a C-123 Provider, a C-130 Hercules and a C-5 Galaxy.
Among the other attractions will be a WWII "attack" featuring a vintage fighters — a P-51 Mustang, F-4U Corsairs — and two B-25 Mitchell bombers. There will be several skydiving teams and flyovers by a variety of aircraft, including a B-2 stealth bomber and a vertical takeoff by a MV-22 Osprey.
The show is free of charge and Bissonnette said that 500,000 people are expected to attend. Visitors are asked to come early — the gates open at 8:30 p.m. and to consider car-pooling to eliminate some traffic.
Bud Schuback, president of the Galaxy Communication Council, said the group would be hosting a kick-off breakfast at 7 a.m. on Aug. 3 that will be "a mini-version" of the air show with performances, previews and special guests. Tickets for the breakfast are $30 and may be ordered online at www.greatnewenglandairshow.com. Tickets must be ordered by July 22.
The volunteer group is raising $200,000 to help make the show possible and has reached half of its goal. They are still seeking corporate donations.
Schuback said, "The job is daunting. We're still raising money. We're going to make it but it isn't going to be easy.
Corporate donations range from $250 to $5,000.
Bissonnette noted the air reserve base — the largest in the nation — is also home for Navy, Army and Marine units.
"Come see the investment America has made in Westover," he said.
For more information, go to www.greatnewenglandairshow.com.
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