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July 4 'Salute' organizers visit

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Daniel Phelps
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 20th Fighter Wing opened up its doors to four members from the Salute from the Shore organization who coordinated the July 4 flyover the 79th Fighter Squadron flew along the South Carolina coastline for Independence Day, July 11.

John Michael Otis, Cam Smith, Andy Folsom and Jill Armbruster, Salute from the Shore members, received a tour of the 79th FS, saw an F-16 Fighting Falcon up close and also watched F-16s take off from the flight line.

"Getting to go out and touch a jet is such a rare thing for civilians," Armbruster said. "It was pretty awesome for us. It makes us feel so much closer to the mission."

The tour was led by Capt. John Ryan, 79th FS F-16 pilot.

"It's fun to do these kinds of things for people," Ryan said. "It reminds me of why we do what we do. They don't get to see things like this every day."

The goal of the Salute from the Shore organization is to create an accessible opportunity for South Carolina beachgoers to honor the armed forces by organizing a "Salute from the Shore" of a military flyover of the entire South Carolina coast each Independence Day, according to their website. Their vision is to unite participants in a synchronized salute to service members that will be shared across the nation and around the world.

"This is a way South Carolina can show its support," Otis explained.

"We know a lot of people had to come in on their day off to make the event happen; pilots, maintainers, etc." said Folsom. "We really appreciate that."

Over a million spectators witnessed the fly over by the 79th FS this past Independence Day, Otis said.

"Shaw has been so cooperative and accommodating in making this happen," Armbruster said.