JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- The men and women of the 62nd Airlift Wing supported the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Airshow and Warrior Expo Aug. 27-28, 2016 that drew crowds upwards of 80,000 people.
The last air show at JBLM was held in 2012, so needless to say, this year’s show was highly anticipated.
Lt. Col. Brendan Bartlett, deputy chief of staff JBLM Garrison Command Team, said, “A lot of work went in to the air show, including all the aircraft, the vendors and overall, it was fantastic.”
According to Bartlett, the air show served as an opportunity for Soldiers and Airmen of the base to welcome its community with a personal interaction.
“It’s important for the local community and for the whole state to realize how important the military complex is,” said Bartlett. “And it’s not just the C-17s or Strikers that are here, but there’s a lot of people that are here. It’s especially important for the community to put a face to the Airmen and Soldiers who work here.”
Between the C-17s and other aircraft flying out of McChord and the Strikers leaving Lewis, and the more than 75,000 population, the installation makes it presence known.
“It [this event] also helps put a face to the noise we make,” Bartlett said. “It helps them understand why we do what we do.”
Some of the community who came to watch the show were very impressed with how it turned out.
Jennifer, whose son served in the U.S. Army at JBLM and who also lives near the base, said jokingly, “We think you don’t fly over our house enough. We loved the air show, it was awesome.”
She said she is a big fan of the C-17’s that fly over her home often.
“It was awesome to see up in the sky,” said Jennifer.
Jeff Palmer, who was accompanying Jennifer, said, “We really appreciate our military and we like living next to the base. You can fly low and slow or fast over us any time.”
Tammy Anderson and her children who ventured from Puyallup, also enjoyed the show.
Her father and father-in-law are retired Air Force.
“The air show was awesome,” said Anderson. “I was raised going to air shows and I just love them. This was the first air show that my children were able to see, since we missed it the past four years.”
Anderson’s children were equally, if not more impressed.
Laurel Anderson (16) said, “It was a really cool experience. I actually want to be a fighter pilot.”
And Hunter Anderson (13) said, “My favorite part was the Thunderbirds. I really liked it.”
The event required a lot of coordination and planning, but it came together to be a successful event.
“A lot of people made this happen,” said Bartlett. “I really appreciate being able to be a part of this.”