ShawFest 2010: C-123

The C-123 will be one of the static displays at ShawFest. It was first flown on October 14, 1949. It was desgined as a heavy assault cargo glider for the U.S. Army. The aircraft quickly became popular for its ruggedness and reliability hauling cargo and troops. The C-123 is still popular today, both with small freight companies and on the war bird circuit.

ShawFest B-25

The North American B-25 Mitchell will be one of the aircraft performing in the air show. The design for the B-25 was accepted on August 10, 1939 as part of the Army Air Corps search for a medium bomber. It was made immortal on April 18, 1942 when it became the first U.S. aircraft to bomb the Japanese mainland. This was the aircraft flown by Lt. Col. James Doolittle. It was the heaviest plane at the time to be flown from a ship at sea. Today, approximately 34 remain flying, most as war birds, and at least one as an aerial camera platform in Hollywood.

Equipment inspection

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Airman 1st Class Julian Martinez, an F-16 avionics technician with the 20th Component Maintenance Squadron, initiates a confidence test on the improved avionics intermediate station. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Louis Rivers)

Fertile Keynote

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Captain Matthew Feeman, an F-16 alert pilot from Shaw's 55th Fighter Squadron, approaches a Cessna airplane, flown by South Carolina's Civil Air Patrol, to attempt communication, as part of exercise Fertile Keynote Nov.19. Shaw's alert Airmen work 12 or 48-hour shifts to make sure the mission functions 'round the clock. "Holidays too," said Senior Master Sgt. William Partin, alert NCO-in-charge. "I think if you talk to the folks, you'll find very few who are disgruntled." Airman First Class Andrew Norton doesn't have a problem with it. "Usually on holidays the colonels come by and drop off food," he said. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael Cowley)

Fertile Keynote

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Captain Matthew Feeman, an F-16 alert pilot from Shaw's 55th Fighter Squadron, approaches a Cessna airplane, flown by South Carolina's Civil Air Patrol, to initiate a "head butt" as part of exercise Fertile Keynote Nov. 19. A head butt is an action taken by the intercepting aircraft, after other communications like radio contact have failed, to redirect the intruder in the appropriate direction. Shaw Airmen supporting the alert mission, from maintainers to pilots, standby 'round the clock in case they are needed. "We have to be ready if the alarm goes off at 2:30 in the morning," said Master Sgt. William Partin, alert NCO-in-charge. "I want everything to be ingrained in them so they can get the mission done." (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael Cowley)

Shaw F-16 lands at Green Flag.

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- An F-16 from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., participates in a Green Flag exercise Nov. 18 at Nellis. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. William Coleman)