Operation Air Show Success

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Leslie Kraushaar
  • 920th Rescue Wing
PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Cocoa Beach is known for being the home of white sand beaches, surf shops, sunshine and, now, the Cocoa Beach Air Show. The inaugural event was held Oct. 3-4 and featured many high-powered, high-speed aeronautical performances. 

The 920th Rescue Wing here was one of the main performances that drew a huge crowd of enthralled onlookers. From start to finish, the crews of the HC-130 Hercules fixed-wing aircraft (also called King), and HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters (also called Jolly), amazed and delighted the crowd on the beach and pier. 

While the purpose of this demonstration was to show the 920th Rescue Wing's maritime operations as well as the past, present and future support of NASA's manned spaceflights, the Air Force Reserve Pararescuemen (PJs) and the aerial prowess of the pilots and crews of the King and Jollies stole the show. 

The crowd was given the V.I.P treatment - the PJs at their best. From a parachute free-fall from the King to jumping out of the Jollies into the Ocean - the PJs put on a very educational and fun show of their skills. They then topped it off by swimming onto the beach and through the crowd for photos, autographs and plenty of congratulatory words from the public. 

Ms. Janelle Jones, of Cocoa Beach, came to the air show specifically for the Pararescuemen event with her children. The climbing of the rope ladder from the ocean to the Jolly was, by far, the most impressive, she said. 

"The courage and strength of those guys are amazing!" Ms. Jones said. "It gives me goose bumps."
Ms. Jones was among like-minded beachgoers who felt that way. 

Melbourne resident, Mr. John Krause, had the same sentiments. "The rope ladder climb was amazing," he said.
I can't imagine the brute strength needed to do that, they only used their arms, he added. Mr. Krause also mentioned that he and another onlooker were commenting on the way the PJs jumped from the Jolly, 

"It was pure and simple Hollywood," he said. "Although the re-fueling demonstration was really, really neat to see."
As the King deployed its hose and drogue, the two Jollies simulated a mid-air refueling evolution, which went over very well with the crowd.
"These guys are very, very good at what they do, " said Krause. "It's obvious, just look at that [the refueling demonstration]." 

Colonel Philip Manning, Vice Commander of the 920th Rescue Wing, said, "This show is a prime example of the 920th's dedication and resolve. This was a great training exercise for us. The community support and turn-out was great." 

The producers of the Cocoa Beach Air Show are already talking about next year's event - and next year the 920th Rescue Wing will be out there showing the community their hard-earned skills.