Lightning II Showcased At Lockheed Martin Space And Air Show
By Mike Heilman
The U.S. Air Force flies Heritage formation flight of the P-51, F-35, F-22 and F-
16. This formation was flown at Saturday’s show.
(Courtesy Mike Heilman)
It has been 26 years since the Sanford Florida International Airport has been home to an air show. The airport is located just northeast of Orlando. When the organizers of the Lockheed Martin Space and Air Show began planning for this event, they had no idea that a world- wide pandemic would affect the show. In a year of challenges, it has been difficult for any organization to hold a public event.
Organizers of the Lockheed Martin Space and Air Show where faced with a daunting task of scheduling a public air show during a pandemic and doing it safely. The show instituted a series of stay safe initiates; from all tickets sold online only, contactless entry, and masks required on the show grounds except when in your viewing area. The show had multiple areas to watch the show from socially distanced seating to lawn boxes that were separated six feet apart.
Lockheed Martin, the title sponsor of the Space and Air show has more than 9,000 employees in the region. The Central Florida area has been a big part of the development of Lockheed Martin’s defense and aerospace business, and the company wanted to showcase the company’s aviation and aerospace achievements for the general public and employees with the air show.
The two-day event was held Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and the headliner was the United States Air Force Thunderbirds in their Lockheed Martin F-16C “Fighting Falcons.” The Sanford show was the final show for the Thunderbirds in 2020. The team’s 2020 schedule had been abbreviated due the worldwide pandemic. The Thunderbirds performed a mix of formation flying and solo routines in five F-16s. The team performed with five jets instead of the traditional six F-16s over the last few shows of the season. The Diamond’s Right-Wing Pilot Capt. Michael Brewer was not flying with the team because his family welcomed a new baby boy!
The Lockheed Martin show featured a rare site at a North American air show with the appearance of all the United States Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC) tactical aircraft demonstration teams. The cancellation of several air shows in 2020 allowed the ACC teams to be available and since most of the aircraft are associated with Lockheed Martin it made a perfect fit for the show.
A U.S. Air Force C-130J from the 920th Combat Search and rescue Team based at Patrick Air Force Base, FL taking off to per- form at the inaugural Lockheed Martin Space and Air Show. (Mike Heilman)
Major Garret “Toro” Schmitz performed a high-powered demonstration in the F- 16 “Fighting Falcon” at the inaugural Lockheed Martin Space and Air Show at Sanford Florida. (Mike Heilman)
The U.S. Air Force’s newest single-seat Lockheed Martin fifth generation multi-role stealth fighter the F-35A “Lightning II” was showcased by pilot Capt. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe. Capt. Wolfe a former F-22 pilot flew several profiles of the F-35A capabilities for the spectators at the show. The F-35A is a multi-role fighter currently being produced for 13 nations worldwide. The Team is part of the 388th Fighter Wing from Hill AFB, UT.
United States Special Operations Command Para-commando (SOCOM) para- chute team opened the air show both days with an American flag jump.
(Mike Heilman)
F-22A “Raptor” Demonstration pilot Major Joshua “Cabo” Gunderson performed an impressive aerial demonstration of the aircraft’s capabilities. The Lockheed Martin F-22A is a fifth-generation stealth air superiority fighter and was built to replace the F-15. The “Raptor” demonstration team is based at Langley Air Force base, VA.
ACC’s F-16CM “Viper” Demo Team also flew at the show. The demonstration was flown by Major Garret “Toro” Schmitz. The demo team’s F- 16CM a fourth-generation multi-role fighter aircraft features a unique paint scheme of black snake scales across its back and up the tail and is nicknamed “Venom.” The team is based out of Shaw Air Force Base, SC.
The A-10C “Thunderbolt II” Demonstration Team flew a close air sup- port routine at the air show. The A-10C is better known as the “Warthog” is designed for close air support, tank busting and its GAU-8A 30mm canon.
The A-10C pilot- ed by Capt. Cody “ShIV” Wilton flew the highly maneuverable demonstration of the “Warthog” at the show. The team’s paint scheme of the A-10C is repainted to resemble World War II- era P-51 “Mustang.” The team is based at Davis- Monthan Air Force Base, AZ.
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16C diamond making a pass in front of spectators at the 2020 Lockheed Martin Space and Air Show. The show was held at the Sanford Florida International Airport October 31st and November 1st.
(Mike Heilman)
The U.S. Air Force flies Heritage formation flights at the air shows. The formations include past and present Air Force aircraft, and are intended as a liv- ing memorial to the men and women who have served and are currently serving. The participation of the multiple ACC demonstration teams allowed for a unique Heritage flight on Saturday of a P-51, F-35, F-22 and F-16. On Sunday, the F-16 was replaced by the A-10.
The U.S. Air Force 920th Combat Search and rescue Team based at Patrick Air Force Base, FL conducted a mock combat search and rescue missions of a downed pilot in hostile territory. The demonstration was made up of a Lockheed C130J and two Sikorsky HH- 60G “Pave Hawk” helicopters. The demo started with the C-130J mock aeri- al refueling operation of the two HH-60G helicopters. The C130s mission is to rapid deploy and execute the combat directed recovery operations anywhere in the world. The Pave Hawks known as “Jolly” by its crews, conducted a combat search and rescue mission.
United States Special Operations Command Para-commando (SOCOM) parachute team opened the air show both days with an American flag jump. The team also made a mass jump to show the team’s parachuting capabilities. Team members are chosen from all branches of the military and civilian agencies.
The Civilian portion of the show included the Geico Skytypers performing in their vintage SNJ-2 World War II era aircraft. The team of six planes flew an aerial demonstration performing various maneuvers. The team uses the aircraft to “type” messages in the sky. The SNJ was a transition trainer between basic trainers to fighter aircraft during World War II.
Mike Wiskus performed a powered aerobatic routine in his modified Lucas Oil Pitts Special. Wiskus a veteran air show pilot has accumulated more than 25,000 flight hours and qualified in more than 40 aircraft. A North American B-25 bomber “Panchito” made several passes in front of the spectators. Panchito is owned by Larry Kelley and is based the Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation in Georgetown, Delaware.
It has been a year of uncertainty in all aspects of life, and everyone is looking for a bit of normalcy. The Lockheed Martin organizers used good planning and took all the proper precautions during a pandemic to have a successful and safe public event. The show did benefit from one aspect of the pandemic. It allowed all the Air Force Air Combat Command’s demonstration teams to perform at the show along with the Thunderbirds, which is rare and likely would not have happened in a normal year.
