Thunder over Georgia lures thousands to Robins AFB

Not since the Vietnam War has Aleksander Stadnik seen a MiG-17 in the air.

The visitor from Ukraine had a perfect backdrop of crystal blue sky to catch the shiny silver jet Saturday afternoon at Thunder over Georgia at Robins Air Force Base.

“I’m very excited about the equipment, the planes. Especially the big ones you can get in and look at,” Stadnik said, by way of his daughter Olena Floore, of Macon, who interpreted his Russian.

When asked if there was anything in the former USSR or his home in Ukraine to compare with the access he had at Robins, the former Soviet soldier said, “Nyet.”

Marcia Gendraw, of Warner Robins, who works in financial management of the base’s $2 billion labor budget, is proud of the impact Robins has on the Middle Georgia economy.

Sitting in the shadow of a $40 souvenir umbrella emblazoned with Thunderbird and Blue Angels logos, Gendraw was happy to support the U.S. Air Force along with tens of thousands of people who rode shuttle buses from Anchor Glass and Middle Georgia Regional Airport.

“I really love the fact that it brought Middle Georgia out to see what goes on at the base and our commitment to the warfighter,” Gendraw said.

Before the show began, Lt. Gen. Lee Levy II, Commander of the Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker Air Force Base, recognized the community support as he honored military members serving overseas.

“Freedom’s guardians, freedom’s defenders. They are there so we can be here,” Levy said before asking for a round of applause for those serving in the military.

With craning necks, folks looked to the sky as the Black Daggers jumped from a C-17 with the American flag.

People paused at attention, with hands over hearts for the national anthem.

Watching the parachutes come down brought back memories for Mickey Crane, of Round Oak, who used to jump with the 421st in the 1970s.

“You don’t realize how much concrete is on the ground until you get up there. You wonder if you’re going to hit the grass,” said Crane, who brought his grandson, Stetson, who is a fan of F-15s.

At high noon, a Team Robins C-17 cruised by as a reminder of the significance of the base in keeping aircraft flying.

“Every day in Middle Georgia is armed forces appreciation day,” the announcer roared as the Thunderbirds support trailers rolled in.

Stunt pilot Patty Wagstaff, who flies air shows all over the nation, said she could feel the community’s excitement everywhere she went in Middle Georgia.

“Super enthusiastic. What a great crowd. It’s amazing,” said Wagstaff, a member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame. “When you don’t have (air shows) for a few years, and people get really excited about it, it’s cool.”

Her high-flying twists and turns kept the throngs of people entertained, including the men at the Middle Georgia State College aviation school booth.

Wagstaff has taught some of the school’s instructors who train students how to get out of an unintentional tailspin.

The schools in Eastman and at Macon Downtown Airport might pick up some new students from the crowd of all ages, said Gene Behrends, assistant chief pilot in Eastman.

“It’s the perfect demographic,” said Behrends, who was 43 when he went through the program. “If you’re interested in aviation, you’re at an air show.”

Georgia Southern University electrical engineering major Amber Matthews had nearly a front row seat next to the runway.

“I’ve always been around planes, so I would like to work with them. I really like drones and robotics,” Matthews said.

Security reasons prevented a release of a show schedule, which disappointed some who had to wait until about 3:30 p.m. for the Thunderbirds to finish Saturday’s lineup.

“Sit back, relax, because it’s show time, y’all,” Lt. Col. Chris Hammond told the crowd from the controls of Thunderbird One on the runway.

Six Thunderbirds shot through the sky from all directions. The overhead roar startled some who were unaware that the F-16s were sneaking up behind them.

All day, the sun beat down from the cloudless sky. Folks starting to sunburn sought refuge in the shade of airplanes on display on the tarmac.

About 50 people huddled in chairs under a WC-30, while three people sheltered under the wing of a small plane.

By the time the Thunderbirds finished at about 4 p.m., some attendees were getting cranky, according to posts on Facebook about the free show.

The Thunder of Georgia page fielded complaints about $3 water and long lines for buses and at security checkpoints.

“You’ve got to search bags and make sure everything is safe. It’s like an airport checkpoint. It’s going to take a little time,” said Roland Leach of the base public affairs office.

He was not aware of any major problems, just ordinary logistics of moving approximately 100,000 on and off base.

Massive crowds, hundreds deep, lined up at the exits as the Thunderbirds taxied back at the end of their performance.

Gates open again at 9 a.m. Sunday for the finale of Thunder over Georgia, which is expected to end at about 4 p.m.

This story was originally published October 1, 2016 at 12:13 PM with the headline "Thunder over Georgia lures thousands to Robins AFB."