Reservists Volunteer for Thunder on the Bay

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE,MISS. --  The Thunder on the Bay Air Show, held here April 4 and 5, proved to be an awe-inspiring event. Saturday alone saw record-breaking crowds of more than 80,000 spectators; by Sunday the total estimate was about 142,000 people. 

All four branches of the armed forces were represented that weekend, as well as some civilian aviators who had various vintage aircraft on display, such as a World War II era P-51 Mustang and a B-25 Bomber. 

The Air Force Reserve was also well represented that weekend. Three C-130J aircraft from the 403rd Wing were open for visitors at the air show - two WC-130J weather birds from 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, the Hurricane Hunters, and one C-130J-30 stretch model from 815th Airlift Squadron, the Flying Jennies. People lined out the back of the planes, waiting for their chance to view them from the inside as well as to snap photos with the crewmembers. 

About 30 maintainers and crewmembers volunteered that weekend to help prepare the aircraft for display, and to educate the curious onlookers about the missions of the two squadrons and the airplanes they fly. 

Kids of all ages climbed onto the flight deck, pushing buttons and flipping switches as questions rolled off their tongues. 

"The ground crew made sure everything was safe for them to touch," said Lt. Col. Mark Carter with a smile. The colonel, a pilot instructor for the 53rd WRS, was one of the wing's volunteers at the air show. 

Colonel Carter has been with the 403rd since 1978, back when it was the 815th WRS. He has volunteered to work at several Keesler air shows during his time here; this one will be his last since he retires this year. 

"I've been fortunate to get to do a little bit of everything in the unit," said Colonal Carter.

Major Deeann Lufkin, a 53rd WRS aeroreconnaissance weather officer, explained to viewers how the drop sonde and other weather equipment gathers information during a storm mission. 

"This is my third time helping out with the air show," said Major Lufkin. "It's been a lot of fun." 

The 403rd wasn't the only Air Force Reserve representative at the Thunder on the Bay that weekend. The Thunderbirds, the Air Force's premier demonstration team, had their own Air Force reservist among the pilots flying at the air show. Major Sean Gustafson, who flies the No. 4 jet on the team, is the first reservist to fly with the Thunderbirds in its 56-year history. 

He had originally joined the active-duty Air Force in 1997, and then swapped over to the Reserve two years ago. As a reservist, he served as the training officer for the 93rd Fighter Squadron at Homestead AFB, Fla. He started his two-year Air Guard/Reserve tour with the Thunderbirds in October 2008. 

"The thing I enjoy most (about being in the Thunderbirds) is the ability to represent the active duty, guardsmen and reservists, to be able to come to towns like Biloxi and represent them to their brothers, their fathers and mothers," said Major Gustafson. "They're the reason I'm here, and it's a thrill to hear them say thanks for what you've done."