Wings Over Long Beach flew into the city over the weekend to celebrate National Air Force Week as well as the Long Beach Airport’s 85th anniversary by displaying legendary aircraft. Pilots, flight schools and airlines were on hand to provide information about learning to fly.
Organizer Dennis Lord called the event “a good success,” and hinted that similar events may be held at the airport in the future.
“We had somewhere between 10,000 and 11,000 people over the weekend,” said Lord. “There are people that would like to see something here every year.”
The event was hindered, though, by falling ash caused by local fires over the weekend. Visitors left the event in droves as air quality declined, and the band had to stop performing. Still, spectators came out by the thousands on Sunday.
The smoky air played tricks with the metallic aircraft on Saturday, so have a look at these striking photos.
The C-17’s giant turbines
The cargo bay in a Boeing C-17
A Boeing C-17A Globemaster pointing ahead to a KC-135R Stratotanker
The patriotic engine cover on a KC-135R, trailed by a C-17A
The Long Beach Airport and Signal Hill, blanketed by smoke
An F-16C fighter jet, based in Fresno
A pilot explains the weaponry on an F-16C Viper
An LA County Sheriff’s helicopter and the MetLife blimp
A Predator UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), flown by remote control and used for surveillance and reconnaissance
A young boy takes the lead before his flight lesson
The legendary P-51 Mustang