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Pope Braggs about Mini C-17

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Tom Crawford
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Overcast skies and fog did not keep over 80,000 people from attending the Pope Air Show this weekend. As the morning crowd continued to be bussed to the air base, many waited in line for up to two hours in cars to enter the base. But the wait was well worth it for all who enjoyed the air show.

Fog lifted around 11 a.m. and this allowed the low flying acts to begin in the afternoon. A C-17 flying demonstration flown by the 17th flying squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, was cancelled on Saturday because of low clouds, but did an outstanding job on Sunday. On Sunday, the aircrew flew a flawless 12 minute aerial routine.

Of course at many air shows there are a number of static displays for everyone to enjoy and walk through. As thousands of children with their parents walked around to the many displays, so much excitement was shown as they approached Charleston's own Mini C-17.

"It was good fun and I really liked sitting up front. This is the neatest thing I've seen all day" said Tyler Bullard, who was there with his mom and dad. Asked if this was his first air show, Tyler said, "It is and I can't wait to come back".

"This is way to cool, how long does it take to assemble?" asked Mark Buck, a B-25 Bomber crew member from Georgetown, Del. "You've got to be kidding me, that's the trailer that you haul it in?" he added.

Crowds continued to gather around the Mini C-17 throughout the afternoon asking questions like, "Does it really fly?" and "How far will it fly on a tank of gas?"

"It really doesn't fly but it does look like a small version of the real C-17," said Senior Master Sergeant Butch Rollins. Senior Master Sgt. Rollins was the team chief along with five other members from the 315th AW, Charleston AFB who took the Mini to Pope Air Force Base, N.C.

"We've taken the Mini C-17 to 17 locations this year and it's always a great crowd pleaser with both the young an older ones".

Always keeping a full appearance schedule, the Mini C-17 has been requested for many other events this year including the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, Calif.