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Air show takes off

The sound of jet engines getting ready for take off could be heard across the region over the weekend.
30.news.air show online
The 4 Wing Cold Lake Air Show showcased aircraft from across North America. Here, the Canada 150 F-18 Hornet performs a stunt.

The sound of jet engines getting ready for take off could be heard across the region over the weekend.


Whether it was the smell of jet fuel, the rumbling of aircraft, or the dozens of planes on display, there was something for everyone at the 2018 Cold Lake Air Show.


“(The air show) is an opportunity for us to give back to the Lakeland and the neighbours that we have in Cold Lake and Bonnyville. This is a showcase event. This is a key calendar event for 2018 for the region,” said 4 Wing Commander Col. Paul Doyle.


This year featured planes from across North America, and was especially unique because of the 60th anniversary of NORAD.


“Celebrations started off in May in Colorado Springs where we have the (NORAD) headquarters,” Doyle detailed.


With it also being a air show year, 4 Wing felt it was the perfect opportunity to put NORAD in the spotlight.


“We wanted to showcase what the NORAD bilateral agreement that we have with the United States for our collective defence of North America really means to us,” Doyle added.


Hosted in partnership by 4 Wing and the City of Cold Lake July 21 and 22, there was no shortage of planes to see.


“We have the mighty B-52 Strata Fortress and a lot of really big aircraft at this air show,” detailed event deputy chair Maj. Kael Rennie.


For those living in Cold Lake, seeing the F-18s is an everyday occurrence, but during the air show, there were planes on display that even have 4 Wing members excited.


“Living in Cold Lake, most people see the F-18s flying everyday, or even during Maple Flag we see some smaller fighter jets flying around. You get immune to the noise and small fighters. We have a Canadian Air Force C-17 airlift aircraft doing a flying demonstration, which is fairly unusual,” Rennie expressed.


That wasn’t the only jet to catch people’s eye.


Rennie said the local air show was the only spot in Canada to catch a glimpse of the American F-22.


“We’re the only air show in Canada in all of 2018 to get the F-22 Raptor… It’s the most advanced fighter jet ever built.”


Other aircraft that had people buzzing was the arrival of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, the largest jet featured in this year’s event.


Aircraft both old and new were on display for the public, including pilot Rob Hollands’ MX2.


“This is my first time here,” he said.


Holland has been flying for 26 years, and although he has participated in air shows across the country, the New Hampshire pilot has never had the chance to perform in Cold Lake.


“I love the challenge, the flying, the discipline. When I was a kid I was inspired to pursue my dreams, if I can help inspire some other people to pursue theirs, then mission accomplished.”


Also hoping to encourage others to follow their passion was pilot of 33 years, Gregory Colyer.


His 1950’s T-33 jet “The Ace Maker” was a show-stopper.


“It’s a great aircraft. It was one of my favourite airplanes as a kid,” he expressed.


This is Colyer’s second time performing in the Cold Lake air show.


Similar to his fellow performers, he was thrilled to once again be a part of the air show.


Doyle said the event is also a chance to showcase what the area has to offer.


“There’s lots of people around that have the chance to see the gem that is the Lakeland. They may not have had a reason to come here before, but this is a draw for them and we’re happy to open up the doors of CFB Cold Lake to our neighbours.”


An addition to this year’s air show was the opportunity to donate to a cause that’s near and dear to Doyle’s heart.


The Valour Place is a home away from home for first responders, military members, and their families when they’re undergoing medical treatment in Edmonton.


According to Doyle, about 70 per cent of the people who use the facility are from the area.


“We wanted to give people the opportunity to make a donation,” Doyle expressed. “This is one of the ways that we wanted to signify and underline the importance of the Valour Place for us.”

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