Gallery Update: 2016 Oregon International Air Show Recap

Once again, my air show season starts relatively late into the year and I have a feeling I won't be making it to many others this year. But I had a good start to the season by attending the Oregon International Air Show held at the Portland-Hillsboro Airport. This year's show line-up was pretty decent, with many notable highlights both in the air and on the ground and I got a lot of decent pictures, including some that may be my personal highlights for the year (I made sure to include them below!). Highlights from this year's air show include:

• This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Oregon Air National Guard so there was a handful of F-15C Eagles present both in the air and on the ground, including a very special liveried Eagle.
• The show's main headliner this year was the Djon, France-based Breitling Jet Team on their second year of touring North America, not to mention the team's debut performance at the Oregon International Air Show. The team will return to Europe at the end of this year so I am glad I got to see them again this year!
• A star attraction this year in the military category was the United States Marine Corps' V-22 Osprey V/STOL tiltrotor helicopter; Oregon happened to be one of only four air show appearances for this unique aircraft.
• Aerobatic performances by Renny Price, Matt Chapman, Bill Stein, and Brad Wursten, and Jerry "Jive" Kerby.
• The United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Parachute Team participating in two separate demos as well as in the opening ceremonies.
• A dedication to the Heroes of the Pacific, which includes a military honor flight courtesy of Alaska Airlines, and a special warbird performance reenacting the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor; the year 2016 will also mark the 75th anniversary of that day.
• A 1957 Chevy Jet Truck.
• Alaska Airlines' sister carrier Horizon Air making an appearance with the latter making a couple of fly-by passes.
• The other star attraction in the military category was the United States Navy's F/A-18F Hornet as part of it's TAC Demo Team.
• Matt Younkin doing aerobatics in a Beechcraft Model 18.

Here are the links to the individual galleries:

Portland-Hillsboro (HIO) 4

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Flight Ramp

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Static Display

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Opening Ceremony

Oregon Air Show 2016 - U.S. SOCOM Parachute Team Demo Part 1

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Matt Chapman & Bill Stein

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Renny Price

Oregon Air Show 2016 - USMC MV-22 Osprey Demo

Oregon Air Show 2016 - ORANG F-15 "Screaming Eagle" Fly-By

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Brad Wursten

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Alaska Airlines Honor Flight

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Jerry "Jive" Kerby

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Heroes of the Pacific

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Bill Stein

Oregon Air Show 2016 - U.S. SOCOM Parachute Team Demo Part 2

Oregon Air Show 2016 - 1957 Chevy Jet Truck "Hot Streak II"

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Matt Chapman

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Horizon Air Fly-By

Oregon Air Show 2016 - USN F/A-18 TAC Demo

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Matt Younkin

Oregon Air Show 2016 - Breitling Jet Team

Photo preview and highlights:

Static Display
There were plenty of aircraft on display this year, many including warbirds, military aircraft, and some general aviation aircraft that I have never seen before.

Canadian Car & Foundry (CCF) T-6 Harvard Mk. 4 (NX15796) modified and painted to look like a Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero from the Olympic Flight Museum on display. This airframe would later go into the air for an act only to land due to mechanical issues. 

Canadair CL-30 CT-133 Silver Star 3 (N133HH) "Ace Maker II" owned by Greg Colyer of Ace Maker Airshows. This aircraft was in town for a photo-shoot with the Oregon Air National Guard for the 75th anniversary.

Oregon Air National Guard McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle (78-0470) of the Portland "Redhawks" from the 142nd Fighter Wing adorned with a 75th anniversary sticker on the nose on display. Formerly an aggressor Eagle once based at Nellis AFB.

McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle (79-0041) from the 173rd Fighter Wing out of Klamath Falls painted in the Oregon Air National Guard "Screaming Eagle" 75th anniversary livery. The special paint scheme represents the missions that the Oregon Air National Guard performs, which includes NORAD to training future Eagle drivers. I've waited all year long to see this commemorative Eagle livery with my own eyes and it's a beautiful sight to behold!

The tail section of the "Screaming Eagle."

The 75th anniversary decal.

The American Bald Eagle, the F-15's namesake.

We as American citizens should sleep soundly in our beds at night knowing that the mighty F-15 Eagles flown by the brave men and women of the United States Air Force and various Air National Guard units throughout the country are patrolling and defending our skies.

Other side of the tail section.

The other side of the Eagle.

Face to face with the "Screaming Eagle."

Another angle of the Eagle nose art.

North American P-51D Mustang (N151AF) "Val-Halla" from the Heritage Flight Museum on display. Owned by Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders.

Another shot of the "Screaming Eagle."

United States Marine Corps Bell-Boeing MV-22B Osprey (168614) of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (VMM-161), the "Greyhawks" out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on static display. This is my first time seeing the unique V-22 and I was looking forward to the aerial demonstration of this aircraft; this airframe would perform in the demo later on in the day.

Rockwell Commander 114 (N114SM) parked in the display area.

Beech (D18S) C-45H Expeditor (N6495D) on static display.

Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat (N1078Z) "Minsi III" of the Commemorative Air Force's Southern California Wing on display in the Northwest Aircraft Maintenance hangar. Aircraft would later go up into the air for an aerial display. 

The Breitling Jet Team's Fairchild SA-227/AC Metro III (F-HPAA) on display.

Royal Canadian Air Force Sikorsky (UAC) S-61 CH-12B Sea King (12424) on display.

United States Air Force Hawker Beechcraft T-6A Texan II (07-3874) from the 47th Flying Training Wing, the "Tigers" of the 85th Flying Training Squadron out of Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.

United States Navy Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet (168884) of Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113), the "Stingers" out of NAS Lemoore, California on static display.

United States Marine Corps McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet (164048) from Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC/NAWDC) out of NAS Fallon, Nevada on static display.

Learjet 35A (N352PJ) on static display.

SeaPort Airlines Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (N932SP) on display. Last time I saw SeaPort Airlines participating at the air show was back in 2009 and they were flying Pilatus PC-12s back then.

Van's RV-9A (N539RV) on static display.

Mitsubishi A6M3 Reisen "Zero" (N712Z) of the Commemorative Air Force's Southern California Wing on static display. This aircraft would later participate in a aerial display during the air show.

Grumman (General Motors) F4F/FM Wildcat (N58918) of the Erickson Aircraft Collection out of Madras, Oregon on static display. This aircraft would later participate in a aerial display.

North American AT-6G Texan (N100XK) from the Erickson Aircraft Collection out of Madras, Oregon on static display.

Nanchang CJ-6A (N8181C) on static display.

Schempp-Hirth K. G. Nimbus-2 (N67JP) on static display.

Cessna T337G Super Skymast (N58C) on static display.

Tecnam P2006T (N780TT) on display. Manufactured by Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam in Capua, Italy, the P2006T is currently the lightest twin-engine certified aircraft available in the world. Seating four in the cabin, and equipped with fully retractable landing gear and liquid-cooled Rotax engines, the P2006T can run on 92 octane unleaded automotive gasoline as well as 100LL Avgas.

Air Show Opening Segments
The 2016 Oregon International Air Show opened with the usual presentation of the United States flag as well as opening aerobatics. This year, the featured parachute team is the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) "Para-Commandos."

Matt Younkin's Beech C18S (N9109R) serving as the jump aircraft. Younkin would later do his own air show performances in this aircraft but whenever he's at a show with a parachute team, he can always be counted on to play double-duty as a jump aircraft.

A Para-Commando bringing in the United States flag during the opening ceremonies.

Following the opening ceremony, four more Para-Commandos graced the skies with a precision sky-diving demonstration.

Following the USSOCOM Para-Commandos, Matt Chapman in his Extra EA-330 (N330ER) and Bill Stein in his Zivko Edge 540 (N540WS) performed a teaser team-aerobatic demo.

Local Oregonian Renny Price performed in his Sukhoi Su-29 (N699SU) after the team demo.

United States Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey Demo
Ever since the air show organizers announced it, I have been looking forward to the V-22 Osprey demo! I consider this one of the star military attractions to the 2016 Oregon International Air Show!

168614 taxiing to air show-center where it will take off. Just check out the huge rotors!

Side view of the MV-22

Just after take off. The V-22 just looks clunky and should not be able to fly!

The MV-22 in "airplane mode." In the configuration, the Osprey is capable of reaching speeds exceeding 300 mph, a useful characteristic considering the role it plays in being versatile in getting troops in and out of combat zones fast.

MV-22 beginning a right turn during the pass.

View of the rear while in "airplane mode." Note the open rear cargo door.

Transitioning back into "helicopter mode."

Sideways flying!

Spinning 360 degrees while hovering!

Taking a bow!

Coming in for a landing at the conclusion of the demonstration.

Taxiing back to the hot ramp. With only four air show appearances throughout the country for the V-22, I'm glad I got to see this!

Oregon Air National Guard F-15 Eagle Fly-By
It was time for some that good old sound of freedom! Following an incredible demo from the V-22, the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Fighter Wing, the "Redhawks" out of Portland sent two F-15C Eagles and gave us two noise-fulfilled fly-by passes. After a few years, it's great to see some F-15s participating in some form at an air show!

First pass followed by a formation split.

Check out the contrails!

Oregon Air National Guard McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle (84-0021) from the "Redhawks" of 142nd Fighter Wing out of Portland Air National Guard Base making a solo pass. I was very pleased with this shot! This and the following photo might be my best and favorite shots of the year!

Oregon Air National Guard McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle (78-0479) from the "Redhawks" of 142nd Fighter Wing out of Portland Air National Guard Base making a solo pass. I am just amazed with how well this photo turned out!

Aerobatics by Brad Wursten
I saw Brad Wursten perform two years ago at the air show hosted by the Legacy Flight Museum in Rexburg. This year was also Wursten's debut performance at the Oregon International Air Show.

Brad Wursten taxiing out his MX Aircraft MXS-R (N545EA). Aircraft formerly owned by Alejandro Maclean of Spain and raced in the 2010 Red Bull Air Race.

Executing the knife-edge pass.

The reverse knife-edge pass. The air show announcers say that they have never seen this done before in their lives!

Heroes of the Pacific: Alaska Airlines Honor Flight
This was a very poignant moment of the air show. Alaska Airlines conducted a special flight with one of their newest Boeing 737-900s for an Honor Flight. On board was Ed Johann, a United States Navy sailor and Oregon's oldest living survivor of the Pearl Harbor attacks. Alaska Airlines donated a crew, time and use of one of their aircraft for this military veteran Honor Flight. They even arranged a jet bridge over at PDX to be made available when it became apparent that Ed Johann was unable to board the aircraft via remote airstairs. Over the years, Alaska Airlines has gained a favorable reputation as a choice airline in the Pacific Northwest. Today, they went above and beyond by honoring this World War II veteran, a hero of the Pacific. My hats off to Alaska Airlines!

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-990/ER (N251AK) as ASA9820 from PDX with Ed Johann on board moments from touching down on 31L.

Smoking the mains! Perfect shot! This airframe was delivered by Boeing just one week ago. Also, note the tail-number; up until recently, all Alaska Airlines aircraft had -AS in their N-number, which denotes the airline's two-letter IATA airline designation. The FAA ran out of all possible number combinations to contain -AS (because Alaska reserved most, if not all of them!) so now Alaska Airlines is switching to -AK when reserving future N-numbers for their new planes, which of course denotes the two-letter abbreviation for the state of Alaska!

Taxiing right next to the crowd line on taxiway A! This is the closest anyone will ever get to commercial airliner with the way airport security is these days!

ASA9820 beginning take-off roll on 31L after dropping off Ed Johann for the quick hope back to PDX to be returned to revenue service.

Kudos to Alaska Airlines for making this Honor Flight possible!

Aerobatics by Jerry "Jive" Kerby
This is another aerobatic act that I've never seen before. Not only that, but I've never seen a Van's RV do aerobatics either. Lt. Colonel Jerry "Jive" Kerby (USAF, retired) flew F-4 Phantoms in Air Force heritage flights as well as a number of different warbirds. His RV-8A known as "Wild Blue" is the most recent addition to his air show group, which allowed him to make appearances at smaller venues.

"Jive" bringing in his Van's RV-8A (N717WB) known as "Wild Blue" for a pass.

The underside of "Wild Blue."

Heroes of the Pacific: Warbirds
What's an air show without historic warbirds? The 'Heroes of the Pacific' segment continued on with a warbirds demonstration consisting of an Interstate Cadet, Japanese Zeroes, a Hellcat, and a Wildcat. I got some of my best airborne warbirds shots to date during this segment of the air show!

Heritage Flight Museum's Interstate S-1A Cadet (NC37266) nicknamed "The Pearl" with Greg Anders at the controls reenacting Cornelia Fort's fateful flight on December 7, 1941. As a matter of fact, this is the very aircraft that Fort was flying with a student pilot when the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor! Truly a privilege to witness this piece of history still alive and flying!

The Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing's Mitsubishi A6M3 Reisen "Zero" (N712Z) taking off.

Olympic Flight Museum's CCF T-6 Harvard Mk. 4 (NX15796) modified and painted to look like a Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero airborne after taking off.

Unfortunately, NX15796 developed mechanical issues and consequently had to land as a precaution. 

The Zero making it's opening "attack run."

The Zero diving for another "attack."

"The Pearl" making a hasty retreat.

Photo pass during another "attack run."

Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat (N1078Z) "Minsi III" of the Commemorative Air Force's Southern California Wing responds to the attack to meet the Zero in combat!

The Zero gives chase to it's adversary!

Grumman (General Motors) F4F/FM Wildcat (N58918) of the Erickson Aircraft Collection taking off to meet the Zero in battle! 

The Pearl safely down on the ground.

The hunter is becoming the hunted...

Photo pass of the Hellcat as it gives chase to the Zero!

The Wildcat making a pass.

The Zero desperately trying to shake its pursuer.

But the Hellcat is still giving chase!

Check six! Check six!

The Hellcat, the "Zero Killer" diving in pursuit!

Another pass from the Wildcat!

The Zero trailing smoke after being "hit!"

Hellcat still giving chase!

Photo pass by the Wildcat!

Former Pacific theater adversaries in a rare formation!

Another solo pass by the Wildcat.

Photo pass of two former Pacific adversaries.

One more solo pass from the Wildcat before joining up with the Hellcat and Zero.

Former adversaries in an incredibly rare formation!

One of my favorite shots from this segment of the air show! It's not everyday you get to see former adversaries in formation!

Breaking up the formation in preparation for landing.

Hellcat landing.

Zero landing.

Wildcat landing.

Hellcat taxiing back to the ramp.

Zero taxiing back to the ramp.

Wildcat taxiing back to the ramp.

Aerobatics by Bill Stein
Following the warbirds, Bill Stein took to the skies in his Zivko Edge 540 for some more aerobatics.

Bill Stein in his Zivko Edge 540 (N540WS) taxiing to the runway.

Hold on! What color is this aircraft?!?!

I see purple...

I see a shade of green...

Purple again during an inverted pass...

Purple again! This is a unique (and expensive!) paint job where it changes colors depending on the angle and lighting!

USSOCOM "Para-Commandos"
The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) parachute team, the "Para-Commandos" performed for the second time with a few more precision skydiving jump demonstrations.

A Para-Commando bringing in the POW/MIA flag, a poignant reminder for military personnel who didn't make it home...

Another Para-Commando demonstrating a more maneuverable type of parachute. 

1957 Chevrolet Jet Pick Up Truck
Okay, I know it doesn't fly, but what better way to piss off all the Oregon environmentalists and fuel efficiency advocates than having a modified 1957 Chevy pick up truck with two jet engines shoot off some flames and making some noise?!

Fire coming out of the smoke stack!

FIRE!

Thrust is provided by two Pratt & Whitney J-34-48 jet engines.

Turned around and heading for the runway.

At the wheel is Hayden Proffitt. The truck is called "Hot Streak II" from Super Shockwave.

Afterburners engaged! A sheriff with a radar gun clocked Hot Streak II just shy of 300 mph!!! Now that's fast!

Aerobatics by Matt Chapman
Matt Chapman, a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University performed in his Extra EA-330, which is sponsored by Embry Riddle. Chapman is also a respected airline captain with tens of thousands of flight hours.

Matt Chapman in his Extra EA-330 (N330ER) taxiing.

Barrel roll.

Four-point roll.

Knife-edge pass.

Horizon Air Fly-By
Once again, the Alaska Airlines Group is featured in the 2016 Oregon International Air Show. This time Alaska's sister carrier Horizon Air sent a DHC-8-400 and made a couple of passes.

Horizon Air Bombardier DHC-8-402 Dash 8 Q400 (N440QX) in the Oregon State University Beavers special livery making it's first high-speed pass.

The dirty wing-wave pass.

You don't see commercial airliners do this often!

It's been three years since the OSU Beavers plane made an appearance at the Oregon Air Show (the last time being in 2012); the previous two years, it was the U of O Ducks plane that made appearances. Now it would be cool to see both the Ducks and Beavers planes doing a formation pass or two!

High speed photo pass.

Another angle you don't see often!

One last high speed pass.

Perfectly centered shot! Thanks Horizon for your participation!

United States Navy F/A-18 TAC Demo
The other military star attraction of the 2016 Oregon International Air Show courtesy of the United States Navy's TAC Demo team. This year, they brought the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet as the performing jet!

United States Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet (166973) from Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA-122), the "Flying Eagles" out of Naval Air Station Lemoore in Fresno, California taxiing for take-off. At the controls is Lieutenant Scott “Bromer” Sulich.

High angle take-off.

Executing the dirty roll after take-off.

In afterburner!

Leveled off and still in afterburner!

Note all that vapor emitting from the airframe!

Demonstrating tight turning capabilities while in afterburner!

High speed pass just shy of breaking the sound barrier! Over 700 mph!

Steep climb with more vapor!

Inverted pass.

Leveling out, note the contrail from the right vertical stabilizer.

I've never seen seen contrails from the vertical stabilizers like this before!

Low speed pass.

Bolter pass.

Kicking it into afterburner with more vapor!

Photo pass with a little vapor on the wings!

My favorite shot of the 'Rhino!'

Still in afterburner!

The carrier break.

Executing the turn.

More vapor off the wings!

Moments from touch-down.

They had the Top Gun Anthem playing as this was happening. Very appropriate music choice!

Roll out after landing

Canopy opened.

Taxiing back to the ramp.

Aerobatics by Matt Younkin
Matt Younkin, third generation pilot, son of Bobby Younkin and grandson of Jim Younkin does incredible things in an aircraft this is not designed for aerobatics. Flying in his Beech Model 18, Matt Younkin performs a routine that mirrors what his father pioneered and flew for 15 years. The music that goes along with this incredible routine starts with "Pink Elephants on Parade" theme from the Disney film 'Dumbo' to go along with how ungainly the Beech 18 looks in flight. The music then transitions to Vangelis' "Titans" from Oliver Stone's film 'Alexander' to showcase just how graceful the Beech 18 can be when Matt Younkin smartly manages the energy and momentum of an aircraft that was not designed to do aerobatics. This is one Beech 18 routine that's out of the ordinary!

Matt Younkin taxis his Beech C18S (N9109R) for take-off.

Beginning take-off roll.

Tail wheel up.

In the middle of a Cuban Eight.

With smoke and lights on, coming out of a loop.

Climbing for another loop.

Rolling the aircraft. It's just unbelievable that such a feet can be accomplished in the Beech 18. It takes a highly experienced pilot who knows what he's doing!

Photo pass.

The dirty pass.

Rocking the wings.

I'm amazed every time Matt Younkin flies!

The Breitling Jet Team
And finally, it was time for this year's headline performance, the Breitling Jet Team! The year 2016 is the team's second year of their North American tour and this is the team's first time performing at the Oregon International Air Show. Given that many people here never seen this team before, it was a general crowd-pleaser for a civilian team. After this year's tour comes to an end, the team will return to Europe full-time, making this a once in a few opportunity to see a foreign jet team. I personally will miss seeing them and I'm glad I got to see them again this year!

Jets # 1, 2, & 4 taking off.

Jets # 6 & 7 on take-off.

Jets # 3 & 5 on take-off.

The team opens their demonstration with the Avenger formation.

The B1 formation.

The Calysto formation.

The Chronomat formation.

The Loop.

The team's signature formation, the Blackbird!

The solo pilots splitting off for the 1/4 Clover.

The Rocket formation.

Breitling #6 making a solo pass.

The main formation executing the vertical split.

The Apache Roll!

Dubbed the "Willamette Crossing" as a nod to the Willamette Valley.

The most difficult maneuver, the Ocean Master Wave.

Breitling #4 executing a slow-speed dirty roll.

Final photo pass.

The Final Break.

Followed by the Final Salute with flares!

The crowd went nuts over this beautiful and incredible sight! Needless to say, I think the crowd LOVED the Breitling Jet Team.

Breitling #1, an Aero L-39C Albatros (ES-YLN) with team leader Jacques "Speedy" Bothelin at the controls taxiing back to the ramp. As a Frenchman, Bothelin expresses gratitude towards the American soldiers who fought and died in World War II, particularly to those who fought to liberate France.

Breitling #2 (ES-YLI) with Right Inside Wingman Bernard "Charbo" Charbonnel at the controls.

Breitling #3 (ES-YLX) with First Slot Christophe "Douky" Deketelaere at the controls.

Breitling #4 (ES-YLR) with Left Inside Wingman François "Ponpon" Ponsot at the controls.

Breitling #5 (ES-TLF) with Left Slot Georges-Eric "Georgio" Castaing at the controls.

Breitling #6 (ES-YLF) with Right Outside Wingman Paco Wallaert at the controls.

Breitling #7 (ES-YLP) with Left Outside Wingman Patrick "Gaston" Marchand at the controls.

And that's a wrap! It was another great year for the Oregon International Air Show with a world-class line-up and excellent displays both in the air and on the ground!