Wings Over Houston soars, even with modified schedule

Despite thunderstorms that forced delays Sunday morning at Ellington Airport, this weekend’s Commemorative Air Force Wings Over Houston Airshow carried on.

In addition to a demonstration by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, commanded by a Sugar Land native, this year’s lineup featured a Vietnam War reenactment, acrobatic pilot performances and more than six hours of flight time by warbirds dating back to World War II.

“Really, what makes our Air Force the best in the world is not these amazing machines — though they are amazing — it’s the incredible airmen that we have both maintaining and flying them,” said Thunderbirds Commander Lt. Col. Jason Heard. “We need to make sure we go out and reach that next generation and get them interested in the Air Force, and that’s exactly what these air shows let us do.”

As flight enthusiasts, pilots and Commemorative Air Force staff prepared Sunday morning, thunderstorms forced hours-long delays.

Wings Over Houston public relations officer Scott Tims said that the storm, which brought strong winds and lightning to the airfield, was almost surreal. As minutes ticked by and the event’s scheduled opening passed, air show personnel took shelter in aircraft hangars and waited for the all clear.

Even after skies cleared, staff had to secure structures — like fences hundreds of spectators lean on during performances — and remove debris.

“We can’t take the risk of opening the gates up too quickly and someone getting hurt,” Tims said.

Despite the delay, Tims said the show retained all its fan-favorite acts, topped off with a second performance by the Thunderbirds, headed by Heard.

“It felt very special flying back into Houston,” Heard said Thursday. “I can’t wait to see friends and family and just show off what the United States Air Force does.”

The Thunderbirds, formed in 1953, is the official air demonstration team of the U.S. Air Force, comprised of six F-16 fighter jets and known for precision aerial stunts. Under Heard’s command, the Thunderbirds have flown — at times, only 18 inches apart — in 37 cities this year.

Members of the Thunderbirds are hand-picked for the squad and serve for two years before returning to their normal service with the U.S. Air Force. Pilots, support and maintenance crew perform demonstrations around the globe.

Devon Dowell, a 64-yearold veteran of the Vietnam War, waited out the storm in line for nearly an hour Sunday morning to see the Thunderbirds.

“I come for the Thunderbirds,” Dowell said. “I worked on planes when I was in the Navy, so I still enjoy seeing them.”