High-flying action on tap as International Air Show returns

By K eith O ’C onnor Special to The Republican

They won’t be stationed at Barnes Air National Guard Base for another three years, but viewers can catch a glimpse of the U.S. Air Force’s new F-35A Lightning II attack fighters before they arrive for duty as part of this weekend’s Westfield International Air Show.

The popular airshow, stalled during the pandemic, returns to Barnes Air National Guard Base on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Col. David “Moon” Halasi-Kun, 104th Fighter Wing commander noted “it’s good to be back.”

“We tried to do the air show back in 2019 and 2020, right at the height of the pandemic. We had to close our gates. We had to batten down the hatches. We were deployed in our local communities responding to the pandemic. Our medical professionals were busy setting up clinics. We’ve got everybody back on base and we are ready to throw open the doors. I can’t wait to let the communities come in and see all of the excellent things the thousands of Barnestomers here at the 104th do,” he said.

“As long as the ceilings are high and we have a nice cloud backdrop, you’re going to be able to see the F-35 go through the full litany of maneuvers it’s capable of doing. It’s going to knock your socks off,” he added.

Other high-flying aeronautics at the show include performances by the Ace Maker, American Power Museum, Aftershock Jet Truck, Placid Lassie, Liberty Jump Team, Jason Flood piloting a modified Pitts S1, Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation, P-51 Mustang Bald Eagle, U.S. Coast Guard HC-144, A-10C Thunderbolt II, CH-53E U.S. Marine Corps helicopter and more.

In addition to all the action overhead, visitors can walk up to static aircraft including the KC-46A Pegasus, C-47, P-40, T-38, F-16, EA-18 Growler, AH-64D Apache Helicopter, Lakota Helicopter, C-130 and many others including army trucks and Humvees.

Maj. Kevin “Sajak” Donovan, 104th Fighter Wing operations director of the Westfield International Air Show, said it’s important to continue to welcome the public onto the base.

“Every time I go out into the community I’m being told, ‘Thank you for your service.’ There’s just so much appreciation from the community and this is our way to welcome them into our home and say, ‘Thank you for your support.’ This is what we do on a daily basis, day in and day out, to keep everybody safe in this country,” he said.

Donovan noted people should plan for increased traffic in the morning, and that guests should bring things such as their own chairs, snacks, water, hearing protection, and sunscreen. While the show is free, parking for the event is limited, with standard parking passes beginning at $20 with VIP parking passes available at $50 allowing for closer parking to the event.

Special tickets at $180 are also available online for the Eagles Nest Chalet, which offers an exclusive lounge and private seating with front-row access to view the staging area. The Chalet ticket also includes breakfast, a private bar including complimentary beer and wine from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., lunch buffet, afternoon snacks and more, including a VIP parking pass. There are also Children’s Eagle Nest Chalet tickets for $95. Both chalets are sold out for Saturday. For full parking information, including handicapped parking, visit westfieldairshow. org.

Parking opens at 7 a.m.

Anyone planning on attending should consider heeding advice on the event website, westfieldairshow.org, which states: “We are expecting about a two-hour traffic delay going in and out of the airshow, please plan accordingly. Parking is limited and filling up fast. All attendees must purchase a parking pass prior to the show to ensure you have a spot. Once we’re out, there will be no more passes sold.”