From the general public’s point of view, they discouraged on the base parking, recommended the use of buses instead, and lacked a performer event schedule on their Internet site. One could buy one at the show as part of their Souvenier Program for a mere $10.00, but even that did not have any time tables as to what was on at what time. On Saturday the event failed miserably with an inadequate supply of portable toilets, lining up for such was between 30-35 minutes, lacked adequate refreshment: namely water suppliers. Especially necessary, since this event was in the dry heat of Arizona where body moisture really evaporates quickly. I experienced an over 40 minute wait to buy a bottle of $3.00 water from a typical vendor, who was more interested selling tacos, and chicken pita wraps instead of refreshments and then wait another 5 minutes before they could find change to break a five dollar bill. While there were a couple of free water tanks dispersed from which one could draw lukewarm potable water, these tanks were not easy to locate and had major line ups too.

As for the air show itself, it was quite good. The major issue for attendees including myself who takes photographs, that the sun was always in our eyes. Taking photos in such conditions is not easy, and back light compensation is required. Speaking of the sun, the weather was very good, it wasn’t windy, nor extremely hot, although heavy usage of sun block is highly recommended, unless one wants to stay in covered seating areas. Since there was no program schedule, while it was announced at the beginning of the show, if one came later, those people and with the majority of attendees had no idea when and who would perform, which made time management a bit difficult. Due to this I missed several performers as I was either lining up for bottle of water or for the potable facilities, and I wasn’t the only one of the many thousands who attended.

The main headliners were the Thunderbirds, Navy’s F/A Super Hornet Team and the West Coast A-10 Demo Team. The A-10 West Coast Demo Team is headquartered out of D-M AFB, so it was home turf for them. There were some interesting demo simulation of a pilot rescue and Border Patrol take-down. There was a simulated air-to-air refuelling demo with a C-130 and UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter. Other civilian performers included the Patriots with their four L-39C. The USAF Heritage Flight with the A-10 and with a Vietnam era Skyraider, and a fly-by of a B-17 bomber with a P-51D Mustang. There were a large static display at the show, the larger aircraft such as the B-1B Lancer, C-130 Hercules variants, KC-135 Stratotanker, were parked on the tarmac, while the smaller fighter, trainers and similar aircraft were in covered (open at both ends) hangars.

The air show part thrilled the crowds, as the Super Hornet Demo Team, the A-10 Demo Team, and the Thunderbirds put on an excellent show. The Heritage Flight was good too. The general show announcement lacked clarity (this does not apply to Demo Teams who have there own announcers) as to where to look for the inbound aircraft.

Some of the participating performers were:

• U-2 Dragon Lady flyby
• The Thunderbirds
• F-18 Super Hornet
• A-10 West Demo Team
• Pilot Rescue Demo with A-10 and UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Team
• Border Patrol take-down demo
• Heritage Flight with A-10 and Skyraider
• B-17 with a P-51D Mustang flyby
• Patriots L-39C Team
• and many others including static displays.