DETOUR — A U.S. Navy F/A 18 Hornet, sporting the colors of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, blocks a portion of Forrestal Drive on board NAS Kingsville. Fortunately, the aircraft was only in the road for a few minutes as NAS Kingsville personnel were moving the aircraft to its new home at the front of the air station’s Air Park. The former Blue Angel One will greet visitors to the air station this weekend for the ‘Wings Over South Texas’ air show. (Photo by AC3 Kiana Kahlbaum, NAS Kingsville Public Affairs). The buzz of some of the military’s fastest jet aircraft will soon be heard over the skies of Kingsville and local residents couldn’t be happier. NAS Kingsville’s bi-annual air show ‘Wings Over South Texas’ will be held this weekend and base officials are expecting one of the largest crowds ever for the two-day show.

“We are thrilled that Air Show Week has finally arrived and we hope that residents from all around Kingsville will join us for our 2010 show,” said NAS Kingsville commanding officer Capt. Phil Waddingham. “We are happy to say that this event is an all-military affair, with teams from the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and the Army participating in the show. We also have the Department of Homeland Security, and a number of top-line civilian acts lined up, including world aerobatic champion Rob Holland and the Commemorative Air Force’s Tora, Tora, Tora. It’s going to be a great show, and the weather forecast for the weekend looks awesome!”

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and Fat Albert Airlines headline the show, along with the U.S. Army parachute team, the Golden Knights, and the USAF Air Combat Command’s Viper East team flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, more commonly known as the “Viper.” The schedule of events gets underway at about 11:45 each day.

“We also have something different this year,” Waddingham added. “After our show on Saturday, the Grammy-nominated country music band Emerson Drive will put on a free concert for our guests on the air field tarmac. Emerson Drive is one of country music’s elite performing bands and they promise to put on quite a show.”

Gates will open both days at 10 a m. For those who arrive early there will be plenty to do. For aviation enthusiasts, there will be more than 30 static aircrafts on display - of all sizes. For children, a large KidZone will offer games and rides for a minimal fee throughout the day.

Guests may bring lawn chairs with them to the show, and parking is conveniently located close to the airfield. There will be a short delay getting through the security check points, but nothing more than a few minutes. Coolers are not permitted. For a list of items that you may bring with you, visit the air show Web site at www.wingsoversouthtexas.org. All access to the base by the general public will be through the Gen. Gen. Cavazos Blvd. Gate (main gate).

Saturday, March 27, Schedule

10 a.m. Gates open. 11:30 a.m. Budweiser Clydesdales 11:40 a.m. A r Show Announcer Rob Reider & Capt. Phil Waddingham opening remarks. 11:40 a.m. US Army Golden Knights take off / w nd chec pass 11:55 a.m. T-45 Goshawks warm-up 12:00 p.m. Air Boss requests permission to start the ar show / US Army Golden Knights jump 12:05 p.m. National Anthem (performed by EMERSON DRI VE) 12:10 p.m. Announcer Rob Reider & Capt. Phil Wadd ngham opening remarks. 12:15 p.m. US Army Golden Knights jump 12:30 p.m. T-45 photo passes / pattern work 12:40 p.m. Paul Fiala performance 12:52 p.m. Tora, Tora, Tora performance 1:05 p.m. Rob Holland / Jack Knutson warm-up for 2-plane Show 1:10 p.m. Tora, Tora, Tora sneak attack 1:25 p.m. FOD check 1:45 p.m. Dale Brown (crop duster) 1:55 p.m. Jan Collmer performance 2:05 p.m. USAF V per East performance 2:20 p.m. Rob Holland solo performance 2:35 p.m. Launch DHS helo for photo pass/box sweep 2:35 p.m. FOD check 2:55 p.m. Enlistment Ceremony 3:00 p.m. Fat Albert launch / performance 3:15 p.m. Blues Walk to a rcraft / launch 3:30 p.m. Blue Angels performance 4:15 p.m. Blue Angels performance complete 4:30 p.m. Musical entertainment 5:00 p.m. Emerson Drive Concert 6:30 p.m. Concert ends. 7:00 p.m. Air Station closes

Sunday, March 28, Schedule

10:00 a.m. Gates open.
11:30 a.m. Budweiser Clydesdales
11:40 a.m. A r Show Announcer Rob Reider & Capt. Phil Waddingham
opening remarks.
11:40 a.m. US Army Golden Knights take off / w nd chec pass
11:55 a.m. T-45 Goshawks warm-up
1200 p.m.Air Boss requests permission to start the ar show / US
Army Golden Knights launch
12:05 p.m. National Anthem (performed by Rob Reider)
12:15 p.m. US Army Golden Knights jump
12:30 p.m. T-45 photo passes / pattern work
12:40 p.m. Paul Fiala performance
12:52 p.m. Tora, Tora, Tora performance
1:05 p.m. Rob Holland / Jack Knutson warm-up for 2-plane show
1:10 p.m. Tora, Tora, Tora sneak attack
1:25 p.m. FOD check
1:45 p.m. Dale Brown (crop duster)
1:55 p.m. Jan Collmer performance
2:05 p.m. USAF V per East performance
2:20 p.m. Rob Holland solo performance
2:35 p.m. Launch DHS helo for photo pass/box sweep
2:35 p.m. FOD check
3:00 p.m. Fat Albert launch / performance
3:15 p.m. Blues Walk to a rcraft / launch
3:30 p.m. Blue Angels performance
4:15 p.m. Blue Angels performance complete
4:30 p.m. Autographs / Photos
4:45 p.m. Air Show ends.
5:30 p.m. Air Station closes.