Aviation Nation Nellis Air Show 2011
Nellis AF Base Celebrates 70 Years of Service
Text and Images By Joe Gonzalez
The presentation of colors for the National Anthem during the opening ceremonies.The day’s questionable weather cleared giving way to perfect sunshine. On November 12 and 13, the very large and well-mannered crowds at Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) enjoyed all the static displays, stopped by vendors of goods and services and, of course, watched the flying demonstrations, which were topped off by the USAF Thunderbirds who gave their last performance for the 2011 season.
History of Nellis AFB
The ultra modern Nellis AFB started from humble beginnings, known in the early years as the Las Vegas Army Air Corps Gunnery School. The mission of training aerial gunners for combat duty was primary. Rocky hills – about six miles from the base – offered a natural backdrop for cannon and machine gun firing. Dry lake beds offered an emergency landing location as needed. Supply and logistics had not yet been organized leaving mechanics to borrow parts as needed. Fuel came from the Civilian Conservation Corps. Construction of permanent base facilities began in 1941, including barracks to house about 3,000 personnel.
The A-10 Thunderbolt II – AKA The Warthog – turns like a sports aerobatic aircraft, can carry and deliver almost all munitions in the inventory, can return to base with severe battle damage, and is almost impossible to .killThe first types of aircraft included the AT-6 “Texan” and the B-10 “Martin” bomber. In 1942 the first group of B-17 bombers arrived. Now student gunners received training in the gun turret of actual front-line, combat aircraft. Peak output during WWII included 600 gunnery students and 215 co-pilots graduating every five weeks. More than 45,000 B-17 gunners completed their training at this base. During March of 1945 the conversion from the B-17 to the impressive B-29 took place. The total personnel reached some 11,000 officers and enlisted, approximately 4,700 were students.
The ending of WWII changed the role to exit processing of personnel from the armed forces. On Jan. 31, 1947 Las Vegas Army Air Field was officially inactivated. March 31 of 1948 the Las Vegas Air Force Base was reactivated and hosted a pilot training wing and gunnery school. The advent of the Korean War required a change from advanced single engine 
The B-1b Lancer Bomber – AKA “The Bone” – returning to base. Note the Nellis Control Tower in the background.school, to training the combat jet fighter pilot.
In 1950 Las Vegas Air Force Base was renamed in honor and memory of 1st Lt. William Harrell Nellis, the youngest man from southern Nevada killed in action over Luxemburg on Dec. 27, 1944. All Korean era ace pilots received their final combat training at Nellis. Nellis is the home of the 57th Wing, and is the largest composite wing of the USAF providing advanced aerospace training to world-wide combat air forces, and showcasing aerospace power to the world.
Aviation Nation Airshow
The Patriots perform the “Double Cross.”The flying demonstrations this year included the following: 1) Heritage aerial gunnery/bomber aircraft including the B-25 Mitchell, the AT-6 Texan, and the C-45. 2) Present day bomber demonstration of the B-1b and the B-2 Stealth Spirit on Sunday only. 3) A C-130 airdrop with Red Horse Civil Engineers. 4) The amazing C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft. 5) The superb Patriots Jet Demonstration Team. 6) Heritage Air to Air Mission featuring the “Mig Alley” classic F-86 Sabre vs. the Mig 15 and the T-33 Shooting Star. This classic, strait-winged jet aircraft is very much different from the swept wing design of the F-86 and Mig 15. 7) F-15 and F-16s from the Aggressor squadron. This unit is very active during Red Flag. 8) A Vietnam era, air to ground mission demonstration, including the Douglas Skyraider. This very aircraft has a USAF and South 
Tuskegee Airmen are featured in the traveling exhibit, Rise Above.Vietnamese Air Force history. 9) A present day air-to-ground mission demonstration featuring the A-10 Thunderbolt II, the F-16 Viper, the F-15E Strike Eagle, and the HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter. 10) The heritage flight included the F-86, A-10 and F-4 Phantom II. 11) The grand finale each day was performed by the USAF Aerial Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds.
The aircraft on display included several vintage aircraft including a Howard DGA built in 1943, and the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron featuring a Red Tail P-51C (this very aircraft has a documented combat history). The traveling exhibit Rise Above, that told the story of the P51 Red Tail Squadron and the Tuskegee Airmen was an ultra-big attraction. The lines to see the 15-minute documentary about the Tuskegee Airmen formed early and remained constant. (Mark your calendars for Jan. 20, 2012 to see the new movie, Red Tails, a major motion picture by Lucasfilm, which will open at theaters around the country.)
If you missed this year’s Nellis Air Show, the opportunity to attend the largest public event in Nevada slipped through your hands. How do you ensure this won’t happen again? Put it on your calendars for 2012 and don’t miss one of the best air shows in the United States. Hope to see you there!
