AirFest 2008 Published May 8, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs MACDILL AFB, Fla -- Perfect weather, awe-inspiring aerial acrobatics, fascinating displays and a bang-up job by Team MacDill came together to make for yet another successful MacDill AirFest. MacDill opened its doors to the community for two days, and the show did not end until the last formation by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds Sunday afternoon. "It really was a great show," said Col. Matt Arens, 6th Air Mobility Wing vice commander. "The acts did a great job, the weather provided us with a cool breeze throughout the day and all and all it was a success. All of the aerial displays and static displays made the day a memorable one." One of the aerial displays showcased was the F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration Team. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter with two crew members -- a pilot and a weapon systems officer -- performing air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Capt. Phil Smith, an F-15E pilot still stresses the focus on flying while performing at any show. "When I'm up in the air I am completely focused on flying and that's it," said Captain Smith. "Once I finally land, I can take a breath and think, really reflect on what I just did." It's not just him reflecting on his performance, everyone on the Strike Eagle Demo Team seems to reflect on that performance too. "Sometimes I might think my performance was awesome and then my crew chief will tell me I didn't do a move or I could have done something better," said Captain Smith. He added that the critiques that the crew gives him, helps to keep him focused on doing a better job the next time. Senior Airman Brad Butler, the dedicated crew chief for the Strike Eagle Demo Team, is in his second year with the team and believes it's the coolest job in the world. "So far I have done 11 different shows and I wouldn't change jobs for the world," said Airman Butler. "I think of it like this ... we get to show the ordinary the extraordinary." The other aerial displays highlighted during this year's show were the QF-4, P-51 and F-15E heritage flyby along with the F-18 Super Hornet demonstration. Tim Webber, who pilots the Geico Extra 300 and was the AirFest's headlining civilian act, also performed during the show. Another civilian act, the F-104 Starfighters also performed and created a record at this year's AirFest. This show was the first show all three aircraft were able to fly together. The Starfighters are the World's only supersonic, civilian jet demonstration team. They fly and maintain the only flying examples of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. The team's signature blue and white F-104s showcase low level, high speed, aerobatic maneuvers and precision formation flying throughout each show. Aerial displays weren't the only thing that the show had to offer many static displays caught the attention of the public. The Virtual Army Experience provided participants with a virtual test drive of the Army, with a focus on operations in the Global War on Terrorism. The core of the 19,500 square-foot VAE is a computer game with Army training simulation technology that creates a life size, networked virtual world. The C-17 Globemaster III, C-5 Galaxy and a MacDill KC-135 Stratotanker also were available for attendants to walk throughout. "Air Shows are a great opportunity to open our gates to the local community and invite them to see firsthand what our Air Force is all about," said Colonel Arens.