HILL AIR FORCE BASE—Hundreds of thousands of spectators looked to the skies on June 29-30 as planes soared overhead from WWII aircraft all the way up to F-35s for the Warriors Over the Wasatch Airshow. The popular show only happens every two years at Hill Air Force Base (HAFB) and in spite of the high temperatures, people of all ages came out in droves.

“It was a great turnout,” said Nate Poblete, Public Affairs Office with the 388th Fighter Wing and F-35 Demonstration Team. “We felt a lot of love from the community and the state. We had a great time.”

The team travels throughout the state and overseas performing, he said. “We have a 25 plus show season. Our main mission is to recruit, inspire and retain. It’s our main recruiting tool for the Air Force.”

It’s essentially a professional sports team, Poblete said. “Similar to teams like NASCAR, etc. We have a rigorous travel schedule. We’ll travel to Texas next. Before we go the pilots have a debrief and we’ll get the jets ready to make sure they’re qualified to fly. They fly to the destination and the pilots fly on a commercial plane.”

They’re constantly on the road, he said. “It's rigorous training from beginning to end. It’s a well oiled machine. It’s a great comparison to the sports industry with what we do.”

The airmen are the best of the best at Hill, said Poblete. “It’s an extremely hard process to become an air pilot. It takes roughly six months to a year to be selected for the demonstration team. Then a four star general has to approve their certification.” 

Melanie Kluesner, whose call sign is Mach, is the pilot for the team. “This is her first year at HAFB. She came from Arizona. It’s great to watch a new member of the team. It’s a great moment for her. She’s really excited to be here.”

Poblete said the team always brings a safety officer. “It’s about an eight member team. They’re on the ground to provide live feedback. That way they make sure the routine is safe.”

The goal of the show is to inspire young people to get excited about the Air Force and what they can do and become, said Kevin Ireland, Executive Director of the Utah Air Show Foundation. “Seven out of 10 pilots in the Air Force are inspired by the air show because as a child their dad or grandpa took them to a show. That’s how it got started.”

The air show featured a historical aircraft team called Yellow Thunder, he said. “They’re out of Canada. They flew a T-6 trainer and a P-51 from WWII as part of the Heritage Flight.”

New to the show was Tora, Tora, Tora. “It’s a WWII aircraft reenactment of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.”

The Beck family came out to the show on the practice day. “I’ve been on base because I’m with the Roy Fire Department,” said dad, Cameron. “My favorite is the Thunderbirds. I love to watch them. It’s awesome. I also liked the Heritage Flight to see the older planes.”

“I think it’s cool how people can do that,” said 10-year-old Kambri. “This is my first time to come.”

“I liked the Heritage Flight,” said mom, Angie. “It’s so touching.”

“This is the best job in the Air Force,” said Poblete. “All the hard work is worth it. It’s a team effort. There is no ‘I’ in team, they’re all important. You can’t do one without the other. The ground crew is pivotal for everything we do. They’re the backbone they should get just as much credit as the performers. We’re family.”

A lot goes behind every air show, he said. “I’m proud to be part of the team.”

“The best thing is watching people with their grandkids or kids,” said Ireland. “To see the kids say ‘wow, I want to do that.’ That’s my thrill. That’s my payback.”