2012 WOW welcomes crowd

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Whiteman AFB hosted a two-day open house and air show here May 19 and 20, which included demonstrations of military capabilities and static aircraft displays.

More than 40,000 spectators from all over the region attended the free, family-oriented exhibition.

"This opportunity allowed community members and those coming from outside the area to get an up-close look at the personnel and capabilities that help our Airmen carry out missions across the globe," said Brig. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 509th Bomb Wing commander.

Wings Over Whiteman featured dozens of demonstrations, static displays, exhibition aircraft, vintage and modern war birds. The following were demonstrations and or static displays at WOW:
-U.S. Army Golden Knights (headliner)
-B-2 Spirit
-B-52 Stratofortress
-B-1 Lancer
-Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17
-A-10 Thunderbolt II
-AH-64 Apache Delta Longbow
-Trojan Phlyers composed of two fully restored T-28Bs
-C-130 Hercules
-KC-135 Stratotanker
-C-5 Galaxy
-C-21A
-RC-135
-T-1 Jayhawk
-C-17 Globemaster III
-GA-8 Gippsland
-Grumman TBM Torpedo Bomber
-Morane Sualnier
-Red Steel Jet Team
-T-38 Talon formation
-Vultee BT-13 Valiant
-Baron BE-58
-B-25 Mitchell
-MQ-1 Predator
-Fairchild F-24
-Piper PA-18
-Hawker Beechcraft AT-6
-MI-24 Hind (Russian Helicopter)
-6 RV-7's (KC Flight formation team, local Lees Summit group)
-RV-8 unlimited acrobatic act
-BT-13 (Valiant Echoes)
-Navy Corsair
-P-51 Mustang

In addition to the demonstrations and statics, spectators were entertained throughout the event by the Air Force band "Shades of Blue."

The Oscar-01 Missile Alert Facility museum here was also open to the public to tour.

New this year was civilian aircraft which were authorized to fly into the base and taxi by a B-2 Spirit prior to parking.

"Thank you to those who took part in helping make the 2012 Wings Over Whiteman Open House and Air Show a success," said Maj. Ben Kaminsky, Air Show director. "We couldn't have done it without your devotion and dedication."

To see more photos search Wings Over Whiteman via Facebook.