When I get to Heaven, I'm going to ask the Commander, where's the Arkansas Air National Guard's 188th Fighter Wing bunking? That's where I want to spend eternity. Until then, the Razorback Chapter got a taste the first weekend of May. They put on their airshow for free - one of the last free airshows left in the country - this weekend and asked the Razorback Chapter to help.
We helped out this year by supplying the funding for their bicycle cop's uniforms. They wanted something that displayed a professional, identifiable look. Our money went to purchase some extremely sharp uniforms for the bike patrol. They are an important part of managing the crowds and any situation that might come up. We are proud to have helped and are really impressed by their selection for uniforms.
We also came packing Arkansas Traveler certificates for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Army Golden Knights. We presented those at a VIP gathering Friday night that was pretty darn impressive. In return, the chapter received framed lithographs from both groups. For a small fee payable to the chapter, I will let you hang them in your office for a week! This old Captain was feeling pretty special at that point. We also brought proclamations from the Governor proclaiming Saturday as "Blue Angel's Day" and Sunday as "Golden Knight's Day" in Arkansas. These proclamations were read by the show announcer on each day. Then the fun started........
Members of the chapter were treated to VIP accommodations at the show on Saturday in the 188FW VIP area. The show was fantastic and all there enjoyed it. The only shortcoming was the fact that two of the Blue Angel's F-18s were unable to fly due to maintenance problems. Too bad the 188th mechanics didn't know the F-18 or they would have performed their maintenance magic like they did in '99 for the Thunderbirds! Those problems, however, were all left behind at the party Saturday night.
Pepper Source, one of the BIGGEST fans of the Air Force in the Ft. Smith area put on a party for the performers and "friends" of the airshow Saturday night. There were too many good memories to try and write about here, but I can say that it is the only party I have ever been to where about 10 guys parachuted into the front yard and the TORA TORA TORA planes from the Confederate Air Force did a bombing run. College parties were good, but don't come close to that Saturday evening!
So, our hats are off and many thanks to Col. Bunch, LtCol. McCormick, Col. (select) J.R. Dallas, and most importantly, Maj. Joe Wilson for the weekend of our lives. We have worked a long time to develop a good relationship with OUR base at Ft. Smith. If that weekend is any indication, something is going right. We are very proud of our citizen-soldiers that are showing the nation how professional an Air National Guard unit can be. Good job to the entire unit (and believe me, the ENTIRE unit pitched in on this effort) for a job well done. Performers told me that they tend to steer away from military airshows, but Ft. Smith remains on their list as a 'must do'!