Super Saturday Air Show celebrates 70-year legacy of Air Assault Division

By Sgt. Shanika L. FutrellAugust 13, 2012

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1 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team kneel in front of the crowd after conducting an air assault simulation event for the Super Saturday Air Show on Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 11. The air show is one of the main attractions during the annual Week ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier from the 4th Brigade Combat Team assumes a prone supported security posture to protect his battle buddies from the insurgents during an air assault simulation event for the Super Saturday Air Show on Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 11. The air sho... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two UH-60 Blackhawks land to drop off 4th Brigade Combat Team Soldiers for an air assault demonstration on Campbell Army Airfield during the Super Saturday Air Show on Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 11. The air show is one of the main attractions during th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team kicks in the door of an insurgent, during an air assault simulation event for the Super Saturday Air Show on Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 11. The air show is one of the main attractions during the annual Week of ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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5 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two Soldiers, role-playing insurgents, prepare for battle as the AH-64 Apache flies overhead during an air assault simulation event for the Super Saturday Air Show on Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 11. The air show is one of the main attractions during the... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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6 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier, role playing an insurgent, checks on his buddy after getting shot at during an air assault simulation event for the Super Saturday Air Show on Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 11. The air show is one of the main attractions during the annual Week ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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7 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two CH-47 Chinooks fly over Campbell Army Airfield to drop off two HMMWVs each during an air assault event for the Super Saturday Air Show on Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 11. The air show is one of the main attractions during the annual Week of the Eagle... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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8 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier, role-playing an insurgent, runs as helicopters shoot at him during an air assault simulation event for the Super Saturday Air Show on Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 11. The air show is one of the main attractions during the annual Week of the Ea... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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9 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A UH-60 Blackhawk aircrew drops 4th Brigade Combat Team Soldiers in the field to conduct the air assault demonstration on Campbell Army Airfield at Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 11, during the Super Saturday Air Show. The air show is one of the main attra... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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10 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A CH-47 Chinook flies over Campbell Army Airfield to drop off two HMMWVs during an air assault event for the Super Saturday Air Show on Fort Campbell, Ky., Aug. 11. The air show is one of the main attractions during the annual Week of the Eagles, whi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Approximately 20,000 spectators turned out Aug. 11, to watch the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell Super Saturday Air Show at Campbell Army Airfield.

The Super Saturday Air Show, in conjunction with the Health and Wellness Fair, which had approximately 40,000 people in attendance, are the real eye catchers.

Before the event started, civilians and military members were excited to see what would happen.

"I want to see some planes turning and going upside down," said Spc. Sanchez Nelson, a 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment automations shop Soldier. "I want to see them jumping out of the planes. I want to see it all."

Matt Younkin, a third generation pilot in the air show, flies the Twin Beech 18. Demonstrating his expertise, he took all kinds of turns in the aircraft that left the crowd cheering, shocked and amazed.

"The Twin Beech was made by women, because the men were off fighting the war," said Jeff Gibbs, the crew chief for Younkin. "Matt flies them, and he is an incredible pilot who loves what he does, and I am just here to maintain his aircraft, so he can continue to do it."

Younkin is not the only one who loves what he does -- several others have expressed they love to come out and enjoy the show the pilots put on.

"I have never been to an air show before, and I am excited to see the biplanes and their formations," said Pvt. 1st Class Ashley Marino, a spectator who serves with the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment. "I love how the biplanes cross each other and show the patterns with their smoke."

"I wanted them to make me a believer," said Nelson. "I only see this kind of stuff in the movies, and now I am excited that I got the chance to witness this for myself."

The C-47 took off down the runway for a much unexpected surprise.

"I thought only the 101st Parachute (Demonstration) Team was going to perform, but when I heard the announcer say the team was from back before I was born, I was shocked," said Staff Sgt. Eric Pickens, a 563rd Aviation Support Battalion, Headquarters Support Company Land and Ammunition NCO.

Aircraft weren't the only thing that was a crowd pleaser, the 4th Brigade Combat Team air assaulted into the field taking the crowd by storm.

"The air assault was cool," said Bryce Payne, an 11-year-old spectator. "I liked the Blackhawks the most."

"I thought it was really cool," said Laura Luberski, an air show observer. "I like how they had the enemy, and I could identify what they were doing. It was really fun (to watch)."

The air assault was the last event for the 2012 Week of the Eagles Air Show, but the fun continues on through Aug. 17, come and support your favorite brigade Soldiers during the various tournaments, so they can earn bragging rights this year.

Related Links:

2012 Week of the Eagles

Air Show

101st Facebook page

159th CAB Facebook page

4th BCT Facebook page

Fort Campbell MWR