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Overcast skies and high winds failed to dampen spirits, or prevent flying, at the 2009 ACC Heritage Flight Conference, held March 6^th thru the 8^th, at Tucson’s Davis-Monthan AFB. Strangely, while Tucson was socked in, the weather just up the highway in Phoenix was clear. Adding to the strange weather was the arrival of one of those mysterious “Janet” 737 aircraft. And once its landing roll took it past the hot ramp area, we never saw it again that day, which was fitting, considering that aircraft’s mission. Lady Luck smiled on the event on day two of the practice sessions, with the clouds giving way to sunshine all day long. Media Day was held on Friday, with about a dozen representatives getting approved by Air Combat Command to cover the event. We had writers and photographers from the local Tucson area; Reno, Nevada, Texas; Southern California; and as far away as Holland. The F-4 Phantom Society was well represented with at least five members attending this year. DM’s PAO escorts were generous in allowing several of us to stay on base most of the day. We were allowed on the hot ramp for about 90 minutes, getting close up views of the participating aircraft. World War II era warbirds this year included the following: “Proud American”, an A-1 Skyraider in an SEA scheme, flown by Alan Anders; “Double Trouble Two”, a very sharp-looking P-51 Mustang; two other P-51s (including “Wee Willy 2”), and a pair of P-40s, one of which belongs to the Chino, California-based Planes of Fame museum. It was still in its “Valkyrie” movie paint scheme, which featured British markings. Steve Hinton and Kevin Eldridge represented the Chino museum this year. Kevin is beginning his second year as Heritage Flight pilot. I met Kevin during the 2008 season and he told me at that time he was very excited to be a part of the HF program. The other P-40 was bright green, with Flying Tiger markings. The P-47 Thunderbolt, “Tarheel Hal”, did not make it this year. Back for 2009 after standing down for one year, is the A-10 East Team, from Moody AFB. All of the other usual demo teams were there of course - F-4 West, F-4 East, A-10 West, Viper East, Viper West, and the F-15E Strike Eagle team. F-15 West from Eglin was present, and there was another F-15 with no tail code at all. Jet demo team pilots this year include Lt Col Ryan Luchsinger, aka “Chief” (F-4 West); Lt. Col. Ron “Stuff” Miller (F-4 East); Major Dave “Zeke” Skalicky (F-22 East); Major David Graham (Viper West); Major George Clifford (Viper East); Capt. Paul Brown (A-10 West); Capt. Johnnie Green (A-10 east); Capt. Sam “Nuke” Joplin (F-15 West); and Capt. Phil “Ritz” Smith with WSO Capt. John “Gizmo” Cox (F-15 Strike Eagle).

Just about thirty different formations were flown over the three-day period, and that does not include arrival formations. 2009 brings us a new F-22 Raptor demo pilot, and even though there does not appear to be anything drastically new in the demo routine itself, it certainly shows us nothing less than what Max Moga has presented over the past two seasons. Of course a good portion of the Raptor’s true capabilities presumably cannot be shown publicly. An exciting change this year was the apparent clearance for the F-4 Phantoms to do complete rolls in transition following their Heritage Flight split passes and their individual flybys. Until now, they’ve only gone just a little bit past the 90 degree mark, before straightening out. There were four Phantoms here this year, two from Holloman, #72-162 and #74-626, both of which are now on their third season in the Heritage Flight program; and two from Tyndall AFB - #237 and #74-622, believed to be going on their second Heritage Flight season.

The three-day event trains / certifies airshow pilots in the Heritage Flight program in preparation for the upcoming airshow season.  The F-4 Phantom was added to the program in 2005, while the F-22 was added in 2006. It is not open to the public, however there is usually one media day, and there are many spots off base where you can view the formation practices.

Thanks to Capt. Ferrau and Michelle at ACC and Lt. Pekas along with Major John Napierand Ssgt Jacob Richmond at the DM PAO, for their assistance and access.

In the near future, extended coverage (with many more photos) of the event can be found on my website, and also in World Airshow News magazine. All photos shown are available to purchase as large prints, calendars, etc.

Southern California Airshow Review & Aviation Photography:

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