MARTINSBURG, WV - While a tragic incident took place last September, members of the event honored the pilot's death by continuing the show.
Roaring engines left a trail of smoke in the air and crowds gathered among the runway.
The 167th Airlift Wing along with the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport and the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle partnered to host the Thunder Over the Blue Ridge open house and 2012 air show.
Despite the devastating plane crash last September that occurred during a performance, military members are moving forward with a positive attitude.
"We have honored the pilot in our program here. Of course, he's all in our thoughts and prayers and so is his family so we're continuing the air show this year but one of the things more importantly, want to honor the men and women of the 167th airlift wing," says Shaun Perkowski, colonel of the 167th Airlift Wing.
There was one plane where you could not miss at all. The C-5 Galaxy, which is one of the largest aircraft in the world as well as being the largest airlifter in the air force inventory.
The show featured a variety of civilian aerobatic performances as well as static ground displays.
For those that wanted to simply browse the arena, there were carts of food and beverages, where parents and children was able to take a break from the sun in between the performances.
"It's an honor to serve for the 167th Airlift Wing. It's just a great community partnership here to see all the people from Martinsburg, the four-state area, the West Virginia regional area, the airport authority ... just to get everybody here. let them see us in uniform, let us interact with them," adds Perkowski.
It has been an annual event since 2010, allowing the public to sit back and relax and watch the show take off.
If you missed the air show today, the event will also take place tomorrow as their last day, and gates will open at 9 a.m.
Roaring engines left a trail of smoke in the air and crowds gathered among the runway.
The 167th Airlift Wing along with the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport and the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle partnered to host the Thunder Over the Blue Ridge open house and 2012 air show.
Despite the devastating plane crash last September that occurred during a performance, military members are moving forward with a positive attitude.
"We have honored the pilot in our program here. Of course, he's all in our thoughts and prayers and so is his family so we're continuing the air show this year but one of the things more importantly, want to honor the men and women of the 167th airlift wing," says Shaun Perkowski, colonel of the 167th Airlift Wing.
There was one plane where you could not miss at all. The C-5 Galaxy, which is one of the largest aircraft in the world as well as being the largest airlifter in the air force inventory.
The show featured a variety of civilian aerobatic performances as well as static ground displays.
For those that wanted to simply browse the arena, there were carts of food and beverages, where parents and children was able to take a break from the sun in between the performances.
"It's an honor to serve for the 167th Airlift Wing. It's just a great community partnership here to see all the people from Martinsburg, the four-state area, the West Virginia regional area, the airport authority ... just to get everybody here. let them see us in uniform, let us interact with them," adds Perkowski.
It has been an annual event since 2010, allowing the public to sit back and relax and watch the show take off.
If you missed the air show today, the event will also take place tomorrow as their last day, and gates will open at 9 a.m.
