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Wings Over Wayne Airshow Planned May 16-17

Jared Brumbaugh

The 2015 Wings Over Wayne Airshow will be held on May 16 thru 17 aboard Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro. The Airshow which is a free event to the public is being described as one of the biggest events in North Carolina this year. Mikel Peterson has more.

The Wings Over Wayne Airshow had been a tradition in Wayne County since the mid-80’s.  That was until 2013 when it was axed due to budget cuts. The event is back this spring with aerial entertainment and static displays. Director of the 2015 Wings Over Wayne Airshow Lt. Col Andrew Ladd says its takes a year to plan an event that boasts 200,000 attendees.

We did some demographic studies from the last air show, we had in 2011, and most of the people come within a 30 to 40-mile range. So, from Goldsboro, where we are, everywhere from New Bern all the way over from Raleigh is generally where people come from. But we had instances of people driving 3 or 400 miles to watch the air show.”

Credit U.S. Air Foce Thunderbirds

Ladd says the two day airshow will feature performances from around the country.

So, our headliner this year is gonna be the US Airforce Thunderbirds is the premiere jet performance team on the air show circuit. So, they’re going to perform two shows one show on Saturday and one show on Sunday as well.”

Other aerial entertainment includes C-130 Hercules, F-15E Strike Eagles and the T-38 Talons.  The Airshow also features civilian aerial performers: Tora! Tora! Tora! which involves Japanese fighters and bombers simulating the Pearl Harbor attack. Also featured is the Indy Boys Jet School Bus that rockets along at speeds up to 367 mph, and the Quick Silver P-51D Mustang, a WWII era classic.

In addition to aerial demonstrations, a variety of static displays will give spectators a close up experience with a variety of aircraft.

Jared Brumbaugh
F-35 Lightning Taxiing Down Runway

We had a very enthusiastic reply from all the other base commanders, so there sending airplanes from all over the country.  To include the B2- Stealth Bomber, The newest F-35 Stealth fighter, as well as the F-22, The A-10, The F-16 our very own Strike Eagles that are stationed at Seymour Johnson Air force base, and then some of the big cargo air craft as well so C-17, C-5 and our aerial refueling aircraft tankers the KC 135 that are also stationed at Seymour Johnson Air force base.” 

The kids won’t be disappointed either with a kid zone that includes a Flex Flying Bungee Trampoline, Water Wars, Bouncers & Slides, Mobile Mountain, and Euro Balls.

Ladd who wanted to find a unique way of getting the word out to the public about the Airshow decided to host a “Wings Over Wayne Wednesday,” which is held on their Face book page.

Credit Jared Brumbaugh

Every Wednesday evening from 7pm-8pm I log on to Face book and I interact directly with our fans of the “Wings Over Wayne Face book page, and they post questions and I answer every single question I can in that one hour and I encourage them to ask me any question that maybe on their mind. “

For more information on the Wings Over Wayne Airshow which includes free parking and admission, go to http://wingsoverwayneairshow.com/

Jared Brumbaugh is the Assistant General Manager for Public Radio East. An Eastern North Carolina native, Jared began his professional public radio career at Public Radio East while he was a student at Craven Community College earning his degree in Electronics Engineering Technology. During his 15+ years at Public Radio East, he has served as an award-winning journalist, producer, and on-air host. When not at the station, Jared enjoys hiking, traveling, and honing his culinary skills.