My Daddy and sister and I went to the Tampa Airfest at MacDill Air Force Base on the first of the two days (a Saturday.) It was exciting to be back because the last airshow there was two years ago in 2014! We had a fun time even though the full schedule was not able to happen because of a thunderstorm. (The airshow was actually delayed for a few hours while we went back to the car and waited! It was worth the wait though, as the Thunderbirds were still able to fly and it also seemed to make the crowds a little smaller than they probably would have been.) The sky was still cloudy so the images didn’t have that blue-sky-background, but I like the mood that it added to some of the shots and it was a blessing that we were still able to watch the show!
These photos were taken in the morning before the storm when there was still some color in the sky.
Larry Labriola is preparing to take off in an L-39 Albatross.
An A4 Skyhawk that was previously in the US Navy.
Preparations for the performance are taking place!
Jerry “Jive” Kerby performs aerobatics in his RV-8 Wild Blue.
Randy Ball taxis to the runway in a Mig-17. Its afterburner made for some neat pictures!
The USAF Thunderbirds are preparing to take off!
Some shots of displays on the ground:
I’ll be looking forward to next time!!
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
I know that this verse compares waiting upon the Lord to flying like eagles, but it also reminds me of these planes. They’re not birds, but are often named for birds like eagles (ex.thunderbirds/falcons.) Just like we cannot see the air that helps to enable them to fly, we cannot physically see God’s strength exchanged for ours that helps us victoriously soar, but this is how we are designed to function. Let us hope and rest in the Lord as our source of strength and courageously run the race of our life for Him with joy!! (Heb. 12:2)