Air Expo show features giant crowds, giant jets
JOINT BASE LEWIS MCCHORD, Wash. - Huge crowds descended on this weekend's big 'Air Expo' show at Joint Base Lewis-McChord - ready to be wowed.
The Air Expo puts on a quite show once every two years, featuring military teams demonstrating flying and fighting tactics - complete with explosions.
It's attractions like that - and all the aircraft - that has people showing up by the tens of thousands.
And it's a rare chance in these days of elevated security to get up close and personal on a military base.
It can be a testosterone overload.
"These are the guys that keep us safe - they protect us," says Ken Dahlstrom of Spanaway. "It's kind of cool to see how technology has come a long way to protect them, too."
Plenty of women get fired up, too.
"It's pretty cool, I have to admit," says Lisa Dahlstrom. "I walked underneath one of the giant planes with the big engines right overhead, and the Star Spangled Banner played in my mind - I don't know why."
Her 3-year old son Hunter climbed into the cockpit of one huge Air Force jet.
In fact, kids of all ages attacked the air show in full force today - mesmerized by giant contraptions that take to the air, and equipment that goes boom.
Veterans of previous air shows are also wowed, easily captivated by what they see.
"Just how the aircraft perform - just what it really takes to make them perform," says Boeing employee Rex Smith. "What goes into making an aircraft is fantastic if you just go around and look at them."
Jeremiah Phillips of Tacoma says he bought a new telephoto lens "just for the show." It cost him more than $1,000.
Fellow shutterbugs swarmed the flight line - angling for the best spots to get the best shots.
There were plenty of chills and thrills. And you don't need a ticket to get in.
The air show continues on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. But beware - traffic was extremely heavy in Tacoma and around McChord, and that's expected to happen again on Sunday.
And you need a photo I.D. to get through security.
The Air Expo puts on a quite show once every two years, featuring military teams demonstrating flying and fighting tactics - complete with explosions.
It's attractions like that - and all the aircraft - that has people showing up by the tens of thousands.
And it's a rare chance in these days of elevated security to get up close and personal on a military base.
It can be a testosterone overload.
"These are the guys that keep us safe - they protect us," says Ken Dahlstrom of Spanaway. "It's kind of cool to see how technology has come a long way to protect them, too."
Plenty of women get fired up, too.
"It's pretty cool, I have to admit," says Lisa Dahlstrom. "I walked underneath one of the giant planes with the big engines right overhead, and the Star Spangled Banner played in my mind - I don't know why."
Her 3-year old son Hunter climbed into the cockpit of one huge Air Force jet.
In fact, kids of all ages attacked the air show in full force today - mesmerized by giant contraptions that take to the air, and equipment that goes boom.
Veterans of previous air shows are also wowed, easily captivated by what they see.
"Just how the aircraft perform - just what it really takes to make them perform," says Boeing employee Rex Smith. "What goes into making an aircraft is fantastic if you just go around and look at them."
Jeremiah Phillips of Tacoma says he bought a new telephoto lens "just for the show." It cost him more than $1,000.
Fellow shutterbugs swarmed the flight line - angling for the best spots to get the best shots.
There were plenty of chills and thrills. And you don't need a ticket to get in.
The air show continues on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. But beware - traffic was extremely heavy in Tacoma and around McChord, and that's expected to happen again on Sunday.
And you need a photo I.D. to get through security.