2015 Dakota Thunder airshow showcases close air support

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rebecca Imwalle
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  During the 2015 Dakota Thunder airshow and open house, Aug. 15 and 16, attendees will have the opportunity to experience the capabilities of a B-1 bomber as it demonstrates a close air support mission, a technique currently used overseas defending our nation.

CAS is an air attack against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, requiring coordination with Joint Terminal Air Controllers who are on the ground directing the aircraft to its target and has been a primary mission of the B-1 in support of combatant commanders for the past 15 years.

Capt. Gregory Marcus, 28th Operations Group chief B-1 bomber pilot in standards and evaluations, is leading the B-1 bomber demonstrations during Dakota Thunder.

"We chose to have a CAS demonstration because it is the support we provide to the military members on the ground around the world," Marcus said. "This way, the public can get an idea of what we do overseas every day."

During the demonstration, scheduled for 12:30 both days of the event, the B-1 bomber will execute a show of force - a low-level, high-speed pass - which is a non-lethal way to show the enemy the aircraft is there and ready to release munitions if needed.

"Viewers will hear a lot of the radio traffic while executing a CAS mission," Marcus said. "There will also be multiple screens in the Pride Hangar displaying what the aircrew in the B-1 sees during these missions, as well as what the JTAC sees while directing the aircraft."

Master Sgt. David Fitzpatrick, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal flight chief, explained that EOD will provide an explosive element to the CAS demonstration during the airshow.

"During a CAS mission, some type of kinetic energy is normally dropped, like a bomb or a rocket," Fitzpatrick said. "During the airshow we are providing a controlled explosion in hopes of creating a realistic experience for the viewers, both visually and acoustically."

Fitzpatrick said that, during this demo, EOD will use multiple types of explosives and fuel in a controlled environment in order to provide the same effects a bomb would.

"Providing support like this is a special treat because it gives a lot of our EOD Airmen something new to experience," Fitzpatrick said. "It's always a fun project for us, and is another way for new Airmen to understand what the explosives we have on hand can do for us."
 
For more information and a full schedule of events, check out http://www.ellsworthfss.com/base-info/air-show.