Easier access planned for Robins air show

Attendees to the air show at Robins Air Force Base this fall should find it easier to get in and out of the venue.

Organizers of the show have arranged to have 140 school buses to shuttle visitors from the parking areas. That is 30 percent more buses than were available at the last show, said Maj. Rex DeLoach, the show director.

He said that should make for a better flow for the 180,000 people expected to attend. As with previous shows, people without base access will park off base and ride buses to get to the show. People who do have base access will park on base and ride shuttles to the show.

The free show will take place at the base Oct. 1-2. The show was announced in December and at that time the only act lined up was the Air Force Thunderbirds, which will be the featured attraction.

DeLoach said since then several other acts have signed to come, and talks are still in progress for others.

One of the most notable that will come is the Commemorative Air Force Dixie Wing of Peachtree City. The group flies historic World War II planes and is bringing three to the show. Those are a P-51 Mustang, Japanese Kate and an F-4U Corsair.

The Disabled American Veterans Flight Team is bringing a fully restored B-25 Mitchell bomber.

“We feel like we have a really good lineup,” DeLoach said. “Everybody is going to have a good time.”

In a first for the show, the Coast Guard will bring its Dolphin rescue helicopter. A crew will perform a rescue demonstration.

With a little luck, Middle Georgia people might see some of their co-workers in the show. Deloach said talks are underway to get the Army Reserve 421st Quartermaster Company in Fort Valley to perform. The unit is made up of parachutists who specialize in aerial supply missions.

Although the contract hasn’t been signed yet, Deloach said acrobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff of St. Augustine, Florida, has agreed to come. She has the show on her schedule on her website. She flies an Extra Aircraft, which is especially made for acrobatic flying.

DeLoach said the base is also expecting the Black Daggers to come. That is a parachute demonstration team of Army special operations troops.

Static displays of all of the planes maintained at Robins Air Force Base are expected. Those are the F-15, C-5, C-130 and C-17.

The Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, or J-STARS, stationed at Robins will also have one of its E-8 planes on display.

“We are trying to increase awareness of the Air Force’s mission,” DeLoach said. “We just want to take the opportunity to give back to community that gives us so much.”

Other Air Force planes expected to come for static display are the B-1 and B-52 bombers. DeLoach said all of the operational planes scheduled could be subject to being reassigned depending on world events.

For more information on the air show, go to www.robins.af.mil/airshow.

This story was originally published July 10, 2016 at 6:30 PM with the headline "Easier access planned for Robins air show."