AirShowPix Productions
"Where Images Take Flight"
2009 Beale Air Show and Open House
| Beale Air Force Base to host first air show
in three years - By Clark Cook, Editor Marysville, CA - Home to the U-2, Global Hawk reconnaissance aircraft and formerly the SR-71 Blackbird, located about an hour north of Sacramento in the valley near the town of Marysville, Beale Air Force Base once again hosted the open house and air show on April 18-19. Headlining the air show was the Patriots Jet Team. Local to the area, the  Patriots
fly the L-39 Albatross aircraft. It was the first time the team
performed at Beale and was a very good benefit for Beale A.F.B. and the local
community said Lt. Colonel John Huggins. Colonel Huggins, a U-2 pilot
and instructor also narrated the event, along with the world
known Gordon Bowman-Jones.Brigadier General Robert P. Otto, Commander of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing looked forward to the base hosting the air show, one that has not been hosted since 2006. "We are excited to have the opportunity, it's the first time in three years we could open our gates for an air show and open house," Otto said. The three years that has elapsed since the previous event had many looking forward to this air 
show, both in the local region and those at Beale who hosted the
open house.Military flying acts included the F-16 Fighting Falcon West Demonstration, A-10 Thunderbolt II West Demonstration, P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight, U-2 Dragon Lady, T-38 Talon 4-Ship Formation and the C-17 Globemaster III Demonstration. Civilian Performers included Tim Weber in the Extra 300S, Eddie Andreini flying his Yak-9 and brothers Kent and Warren Pietsch. Tim Decker, a retired U-2, F-117 and T-38 pilot/instructor flew his beautiful Pitts S-2B in a high energy aerobatic performance. Tim, also local to the area has thrilled millions at air shows in the southwest part of the United States. In addition to the aerial performances, many aircraft based at Beale were on static display as well as aircraft at other bases from all branches of the military. |