Dover AFB Air Show 2024
Story by Daniel O. Myers, photography by Howard German
It was only appropriate that the first major air show in the mid-Atlantic U.S. should be held in Delaware, the nation’s first state.
Weather wise, the weekend of May 17 to 19 started out less than ideal. Friday’s media and DoD show saw a moisture laden atmosphere with a 1,500 ft. low ceiling. Despite the weather, invited guests were entertained with plenty of flying and ground activities. Civilian acts included Rob Holland and Patrick McAlee. The dark skies provided an exciting photo opportunity when Randy Ball’s Mig-17 flew low. The Korean-era jet streamed flames belching from its engine’s exhaust, trailed by the smell of spent jet fuel. Speed was turned up on the ground when Precision Exotic cars; Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Ford GT raced down the runway at 180 mph followed by the Smoke-N-Thunder Hot Streak Jet Truck at 200 mph.
The crowd then witnessed examples of aviation history when a flock of warbirds took flight that included a P-51 “Mustang,” TBM “Avenger,” P-40M “Warhawk,” C-54D “Spirit Of Freedom” and from Geeorgetown, DE, B-25J Mitchell “Panchito” flown by Sabrina Kipp. More vintage aircraft were on display throughout Dover’s large ramp including; a B-29 Superfortress “Doc,” OA-1 Bird Dog, L-17 Navion, DHC-1 Chipmunk, DHC-82 Tiger Moth and T-28 Trojan. Also on the ground was a large inventory of modern military aircraft. Some of these included a B-52, F-15E (x2), F-16, F-22, T-38, T-6-II, UH-1, UH-60 and P-8 Poseidon.
With dark clouds overhead and periodic rain showers, Saturday’s weather was less promising than Friday. However, David Schultz Air Shows put forth a “can-do, the show must go on” gallant effort to put planes safely in the sky.
Opening the show were maneuvering fly-pasts by the heavies MacDill AFB KC-135 Stratotanker, Charleston AFB C-17 Globemaster III and Dover’s own AFB C-5M Super Galaxy. Ribbons of trailing vapor could be seen coming off the big jets wing tips. Those fans that had braved the conditions were then further rewarded with high-performance demonstrations by the F-15C Eagle and the F-35A Lightning II.
Due to changes in U.S.A.F. policy, the F-15C two-ship demo (as advertised to be performed at Dover) turned out to be a single-ship instead. None the less, that did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd. The LA ANG 159th FW, based at New Orleans, LA, has been displaying at air shows since 2021. Known as the “Bayou Militia.” The 159th FW pilots volunteer to travel to at least six air shows a year. Their demo is flown at show sites by the squadron’s most experienced pilots, accompanied by their more junior counterparts.
Taking off in full afterburner, the F-15C pulled up hard to the left, gained altitude and flew downwind in front of the crowd before diving down to make a low-level pass along the entire length of the runway all in full burner! Still maintaining a constant full afterburner, the pilot repeated the sequence multiple times, much to the delight of the audience! The maneuvers illustrated “90% high-tactical” standard combat simulation.
The 159th FW was the first ANG unit to receive the F-15C and will be the last to do so when they retire their F-15C before receiving their new F-15EX in 2027. Since both model F-15s have the same airframe, shifting to the new F-15EX from the F-15C will be a smooth transition. The move will require only a short two-week instruction to become familiar with the 15EX software suite. That tutorial will take place at Eglin AFB, FL. Squadron pilots volunteer to be in the 159th FW and hail from Florida, Texas and Louisiana. Along with air shows, the 159th FW commit to flybys at funerals, parades and national sporting events. They are also assigned to fly NORAD Combat Air Patrols and civil aircraft intercepts. The F-15C has the capability of achieving Mach 2.5 and sustaining 9G’s. In its storied history, the fighter has over 100 victories and has never been defeated in air combat.
Headlining the show was the U.S.A.F. newest fighter, the F-35A Lightning II. Supported by a thirteen member team, Captain Melanie “MACH” Kluesner showcased the unique capabilities of the Air Force’s most advanced multi-role stealth fighter. The 5th generation jet was covered with voluminous vapor as “MACH” performed a high-show in and out of the clouds. Captain Kluesner is an experienced fighter pilot with more than 800 flying hours in the F-16C, F-35B, and currently the F-35A for the 388th FW at Hill AFB, UT. At Dover she showed why she was selected to head the team as this year’s F-35A demonstration pilot.
Finally on Sunday; the skies cleared for a partly cloudy, blue sky day that allowed all aircraft to perform unimpeded including a high altitude jump by the U.S. Army Golden Knights.