Event planning committee member Chuck Fawcett said when people are stopped along the highway or perched on hillsides surrounding the airport, “you know you have a great event.”
Col. Kevin Wear, commander of the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188 th Fighter Wing, called the show the biggest weekend event each year in Fort Smith, claiming an economic impact of $ 5. 5 million. “People will have the opportunity to look up-close at what we do,” Wear said. “With the history of the air show, we certainly will not disappoint anyone.”
The show has been held in Fort Smith every two years since 1987, except for an interruption for the 1991 Persian Gulf War. As well as hosting the show with the 188 th Fighter Wing / Fort Chaffee Community Council, the 188 th has its own act, “Fire and Fury.” The 188 th has performed at each show. This year it will fly the newly acquired jet, the A-10 Thunderbolt II. The unit traded in its F-16 Fighting Falcons for the “Warthogs” last year.
This piece by Dave Hughes runs down most of the major acts participating this weekend. Check it out.
