July 2008
Marines Steal the Show
Story and photos by Isaac D. Pacheco
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| Maj Clint C. Harris, with more than 2,000 tactical flight hours, is the slot pilot. He joined the Blue Angels in September 2006. |
Military pilots and aircrews have regaled East Coast spectators with their daring aerial bravado for half a century at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. The Joint Service Open House, held May 23-25, built upon the established legacy of excellence by celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift while providing flight demonstrations and exhibits from all the U.S. Armed Forces.
Some of the event’s highlights, however, came not from the sky, but from the ground. Marines from commands throughout the eastern seaboard turned out to support the event on land and sea as well as in the air. While Marine Attack Squadron 231 pilots demonstrated the AV-8B Harrier’s unique capabilities, weapons specialists from The Basic School, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., manned Marine small-arms displays and gave everyday folks the exciting, if inert, opportunity to handle the weapons. Leathernecks even brought the expeditionary fighting vehicle along as if to let the Air Force know they weren’t the only ones with a new toy.
For all of the Marines’ efforts, though, the real star of the show was Chesty XII, the Corps’ English bulldog mascot. He made the trip to Andrews AFB from his lavish digs at Marine Barracks Washington at “8th and I,” and consistently drew crowds of adoring onlookers, especially other Marines.
Happy to sit for photos and soak up affection from his fans, Chesty brought smiles to the faces of all and played his part to help make the Marine landing at Andrews a successful endeavor.
Editor’s note: A former Leatherneck associate editor, Isaac D. Pacheco is editor of American Veteran, the official magazine of AMVETS.
View a photo slide show of the Andrews Air Force Base Memorial Day open house courtesy of Isaac D. Pacheco.
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