By Taylor Sterling
This year’s New York Air Show produced by the Orange County Executive, Steve Neuhaus and Orange County Director of Tourism and Film, Amanda Dana put on a phenomenal show filled with color and airmanship never before seen at the annual air show which included the WWII “Little Brother” P-51 Mustang, a pure celebration of our nation’s armed forces. I wrote an original screenplay about this bird and the pilot who steered this ship to protect the “Big Brother,” the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. With the capture of Iwo Jima, USAAF P-51 Mustang fighters of the VII Fighter Command were trained in Hawaii and called “The Pineapple Air Force,” and were stationed on Iwo Jima starting in March 1945. They were tasked with escorting the Boeing B-29 Superfortress missions against the Japanese homeland. Next came the West Point Black Knights Parachute Team free-fall demonstration which blew everyone away at the show. This thirty-six cadet team trains 6 days a week and the last one in the air descends, landing with an American flag while other cadets assist to be sure that the flag never touches the ground. A shattering applause as he landed with the symbol of what America stands for! The most breathtaking air exhibit came next with the Frecce Tricolor, Italy’s premier aerobatic display team also known as the “Tricolor Arrows” flew their flag colors over New York in streams trailing behind their amazing “Rockette” like a dance in the sky (see photo) for the first time in in over 30 years. The 13 pilots captivated the audience of young and old alike with cheers and applause throughout their 30-minute display. They were followed by the show of our American Air Force, the invincible USAF Thunderbirds. They represent 500,000 men and women in the US AF and are stationed in my old home town at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
They continue to pilot the F-16, The Fighting Falcon! The Orange County Airport was without incident and was a resounding success as voiced by 20,000 very happy onlookers. Our safety was #1 and we were protected in the air as well as on the ground by the Orange County Commissioner of Emergency Services, Pete Cirigliano, Orange County Sheriff, Paul Arteta, NY State Troopers and local law enforcement. The weather was as perfect as the day and was shared by everyone in attendance. Perfection! Thank you to everyone who created this amazing weekend exhibiting just some of the amazing Airpower of America. There were 20,000 proud Americans saluting those who served and who are serving and thanked them all for their service. Stand up and make America proud. Show your support for this great Country and what it stands for. Thank you, Steve Neuhaus (a Commander in the US Naval Reserves) for all you do for the entire County every day and for our Country.
