USAF CENTENNIAL- OF- FLIGHT
“TATTOO”  EVENT SOARS INTO LOCAL  “WILD BLUE YONDER”

 Dateline San Antonio:  On 28 March, at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, over 12,000 San Antonians were treated to a fabulous flyover of 29 vintage and modern USAF aircraft, and entertainment that included the Tops in Blue, The Air Force Band of the West, and The Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team. 

The Tattoo this year was held at the Verizon Center so the public could attend and avoid the restrictions that normally occur at Randolph Air Force Base these days. The event, sponsored by the 12^th Flying Training Wing at RAFB, celebrated the Centennial of Powered Flight, showcased the American flag and the history of military aviation, and honored the 30^th anniversary of the repatriation of our prisoners of war from Vietnam. 

Tattoo’s are military-style celebrations, usually scheduled in early evening, that have a long tradition, dating back over 300 years to the British army of King William III (bagpipes, drums, calling troops back to barracks, sounding TapToe for tavern owners to close the beer taps). TapToe has been corrupted to Tattoo!! 

The flyover of old and new USAF aircraft was the highlight of the show (pardon the pun).  Some of the more notable planes included a formation of an F-86 on the wing of an F-16 Falcon, a PT-17 Stearman, B-17 Flying  Fortress, P-51 Mustang, B-52 Stratofortress, and (my favorite) the B-1B Lancer. I think everyone kept wishing this part of the ceremony would last much longer! It’s hard to convey the thrill of seeing these magnificent aircraft flying over at low altitudes, in a constant stream of beauty, power, and noise! 

I was on hand with my M-38,  and my next door neighbor who helped me greet passersby, was the manager of the Air Force’s Ford racing stock car, used for recruiting around the country, and driven by Ricky Rudd. When fired up for the crowd, it was as loud as the B-1!!