Story and photos by Scott Jankowski
The 2025 Northern Illinois Airshow was held on September 6th and 7th 2025 at the Waukegan National Airport, Waukegan Illinois. Waukegan National Airport is located just over the Wisconsin/Illinois border or approximately 40 miles north of the City of Chicago, Illinois. The airport covers 600 acres of land and features 2 runways, runway 5/23 at 6,000 feet long and runway 14/32 at 3,751 feet long. It also has a manned control tower, Signature Aviation FBO (Fixed Base Operator), and a United States Customs facility to clear international arrivals. The airport sees approximately 50,000 movements a year and was opened in 1947. The Northern Illinois Airshow has called Waukegan home for more than 20 years now.
This years headlining act was the United States Navy EA-18G Growler Demo Team which comprises of crew members and aircraft from the NAS (Naval Air Station) Whidbey Island Washington based Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) known as the “Vikings”. VAQ-129 was formed in 1961 and is the only Boeing EA-18G Growler training squadron and is responsible for training all EA-18G Growler Aviators and for developing SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) for the maintenance and operation of the aircraft. The Growler Airshow Team was formed in 2020 and has performed at over 50 airshows since its inception. The two aircraft in attendance this year were bureau numbers 168271 and 169133.
The Boeing EA-18G Growler first flew in 2006, entered production in 2007 and entered service in 2009 as a replacement for the Grumman EA-6B Prowler. The EA-18G’s flight performance is similar to the Boeing FA-18 E/F Super Hornet and has more than 90% in common with the Super Hornet, sharing airframe, radar and weapons systems. The EA-18G can perform escort jamming as well as the traditional stand-off jamming missions (radar jamming and deception). The EA-18G can carry up to 5 ALQ-99 Jamming Pods, this is in addition to the ALQ-218 wideband receivers on the wing tips, and will typically add 2 AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missiles) or AGM-88 HARM (High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles) along with external fuel tanks. The United States Navy has approximately 150 Growlers in service. The Royal Australian Air Force also flies the Growler.
The EA-18G is powered by a pair of General Electric F414-GE-400 afterburning engines that produce 22,000 pounds of thrust each while in afterburner. The EA-18G has a top speed of Mach 1.8 and a maximum range of 2,000 miles when not carrying any ordnance. The EA-18G has a total of 9 hardpoints, 6 underwing and 3 under fuselage that can carry up to 17,500#’s of external fuel and weapons. The EA-18G made its combat debut in 2011 in Libya during Operation Odyssey Dawn, Operation Prosperity Guardian (counter-Houthi operations in Yemen) and during the Iranian Israeli conflict. Both aircraft flew a series of high speed and low speed maneuvers that highlighted the EA-18G’s maneuverability and capabilities.
Airshow favorite Randy Ball brought his 1960 vintage Lim-5 to Waukegan which is a Polish license built Mig-17 “Fresco” built by WSK-Mielec. This former Polish Air Force fighter, construction number 1C 16-11, was retired from active service in 1990 and was acquired by Fighter Jets INC. in 2002 with registration N217SH. The Mig-17 saw heavy use during the Vietnam War. Randy flew a fantastic airshow routine that showcases and highlights the Lim’s extreme maneuverability and agility for older Soviet designed jet.
Several other jet warbirds were present and flew in the afternoon airshow. These included, N133KK a 1956 built Canadair CT-133 Silver Star 3PR, construction number T33-556, which is no stranger to the skies in this area as it is locally based at Kenosha Wisconsin. NX976BH, a 1976 manufactured Aero Vodochody L-39C Albatross, construction number 630641. The final vintage jet that was present was another Aero Vodochody manufactured aircraft, an L-29 Delfin registered N6171M. This 1966 manufactured Czechoslovakian built standard trainer construction number 691942 was formerly operated by the Bulgarian Air Force.
Several other prop driven warbirds were in attendance and included a pair of General Motors built TBM-3E Avenger Torpedo Bombers both manufactured in 1945. The first TBM is Brad Deckert’s beautifully restored and combat veteran N81865, construction number 5632, which saw action during the Okinawa Campaign in World War II. Brad has owned and operated this aircraft since 2009 with it being based at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport, Peru Illinois. The other TBM present was N28SF, construction number 85983 and flown by Steven Sorge. This particular aircraft was converted to an AS. 3M and operated by the Royal Canadian Navy until its retirement. It is currently owned and operated by Avenger Educators LLC. The TBM was the United States Navy’s primary Torpedo Bomber and Sub Hunter during World War II and first saw combat at the Battle of Midway. Both of these aircraft flew in the afternoon airshow and performed several simulated bombing and torpedo passes.
Also flying in the afternoon airshow was veteran airshow pilot J.P. Mellor flying N66TY a 1949 manufactured North American T-6G Texan, construction number 168-142. This T-6 named “Spanish Lady” received this name and nose art as a result of its many years in service with the Spanish Air Force from 1957 to 1983. The T-6 is nicknamed the “Pilot Maker” due its primary mission of training Allied Pilots during World War II and many years after. J.P. flew a well-polished airshow routine containing plenty of loops and rolls.
Other prop driven warbirds in attendance included several examples of the Nanchang CJ-6, a Chinese built basic trainer which first flew in 1958 and is still in production today. Aircraft present included N622CD manufactured in 1977, construction number 2032030 and N4MF manufactured in 1973 with construction number 2951203. There were also several examples of the Russian built YAK-52 a primary trainer that first flew in 1978. Aircraft present were N6398Z manufactured in 1984 with construction number 833904, N32YK manufactured in 1986 with construction number 866907, NX444JA manufactured in 1993 with construction number 9311613, and N58GC manufactured in 1983 with construction number 833511. Both of these aircraft are relatively inexpensive to own and operate, making it popular among warbird owners.
Several other well known airshow performers flew in the afternoon airshow including Susan Dacy in N213BB, a 1940 manufactured Stearman-Boeing PT-17 Kaydet construction number 75-12348. This primary trainer carries the name “Big Red” due to its red paint scheme. Mike Vaknin flew his Extra 300L, NX5K manufactured in 1998 as serial number 001. Bob Richards flew N540G named “Machaira” (Greek for two-edged sword) which is a very highly modified Pitts with a 325 Horsepower engine, different wings and a three bladed propeller.
Other static display aircraft included a full-size replica of a United States Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16 painted to represent one of the aircraft of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. This replica is used as a recruiting tool at airshows and events. Baker Aviation had N939TX a 2002 manufactured Cessna Citation 750 construction number 750-0193 on display. The Citation 750 first flew in 1993 and was produced from 1996 to 2018 with a total of 339 aircraft manufactured. This model of Citation can seat up to 12 passengers and is powered by a pair of AE 3007 C/CI engines giving the Citation 750 a top speed of .92 Mach and a range of 3,460 nautical miles. This aircraft carries “Rodeo” titles on the fuselage which is their Air Traffic Control callsign, Baker decided on this as their callsign based on their 3 letter IATA (International Air Transport Association) airline designator code of “KOW” and the connection that Fort Worth, where its headquarters is located, to the cattle industry. Baker has 21 of these aircraft in their fleet with its main base of operations located at the Fort Worth Meacham International Airport.
This airshow has grown in popularity over the years hosting such top airshow performers as the United States Navy Hornet Demo Team, the United States Air Force Air Combat Command’s A-10 Demo Team, and the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds. The locally based Warbird Heritage Foundation was also a very heavy participant in its heyday.
** These are file photos**
This is a fantastic low key and laid-back airshow compared to comparable shows of its size. This is definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a great mix of civilian and military aircraft at an airshow. Until next time. “Blue Skies To All! “
