Thunder in the Sky

SWANTON, OH, UNITED STATES

09.15.2016

Story by 1st Lt. Jordyn Craft 

180th Fighter Wing Ohio National Guard

The Toledo Air Show, absent from the Toledo skies since before notable events such as Pluto being demoted as a planet and Apple releasing the iPhone, returned for the first time in over a decade in a two-day spectacle of aerial performances on July 16-17, 2016, at the Toledo Express Airport.

Aircraft of all variation glistened under the morning sun as dawn broke Saturday, July 16, awaiting the arrival of tens of thousands of people eager to witness thunder return to the sky as the 2016 Toledo Air Show opened its gates after more than an 11-year drought.

From classic and modern aircraft to fire-propelled trucks and the “World’s Strongest Man,” the air show had something for everyone to witness. Over the two-day show, more than 52,000 spectators delighted at this historic event showcasing 15 performers and 20 static displays with two featured military acts, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, America’s Ambassador’s in Blue, and the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team.

In addition to the Thunderbirds and Golden Knights, acts included aerial performances from the Ohio Air National Guard 180th Fighter Wing F-16’s, U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, P-51 Mustang “Quicksilver,” F-4U Corsair, Rob Holland, Mike Wiskus, Jacquie B, T-51 Titan, and Flashfire Jet Truck.

“The impact of this show was significant,” said Joe Zerbey, president of the Toledo Blade and one of three co-hosts of the air show. “It reinvigorated the importance of the 180th Fighter Wing, the U.S. Air Force, the Air National Guard and our military in general to the local community and the nation as a whole.”

Community organizations and corporations came together with support from the military to bring the people of the northwest region an air show to remember. A significant amount of pre-planning and coordination was essential, starting more than six months before the gates opened.

“Over several months before the air show we had about 55 planning meetings, each lasting approximately two hours, along with countless phone calls and additional time spent planning and coordinating,” said John Barnes, Assistant Fire Chief at the 180th Fighter Wing and air show public safety co-chair. “Overall, having the support of so many personnel and agencies showed that public safety units in and around Lucas County can come together and work together successfully with minimal issues.”

To plan the air show, a civilian board was created, with more than 11 different departments, all with a military liaison to help the communication flow between civilian and military partners. There was no roadmap for hosting an Air Show, no step-by-step guide and only few people on the board had previously worked on the 2004 Meijer Toledo Air Show, the last one to be hosted in Toledo.

“The fact that we pulled it off with all of the initial challenges seemed at times to be a miracle,” Zerbey said. “The looks on the faces of the public as the performers did their thing and the unbelievable extent the military showed up, the static displays and the airmanship, every little piece was unbeatable.”

The 2016 Toledo Air Show was by many definitions, a huge success. Plans are already in the works for coordinating the next air show, tentatively slated for 2018. The return of the Toledo Air Show was an

exceptional opportunity for the community to see the power of the nation’s military while also working with members in uniform to coordinate a great show for the public.

“The show was a win-win for everyone. We are at war. Not many of those in attendance even think about that. But it gave us all a chance to say thank you to so many young people in uniform.” Zerbey said. “It made you feel, safe and proud to see how smart they are, how impressive the equipment is and how dedicated a military we have in the defense of our country.”

• Date Taken: 09.15.2016
• Date Posted: 09.15.2016 14:46
• Story ID: 209754
• Location: SWANTON, OH, US