Guinness Book world record holder brings fire to Shaw Air Expo Published May 2, 2012 By Senior Airman Daniel Phelps 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Aerobatics, historical displays and the thunder of jets are a few of the many things people will experience at this year's Shaw Air Expo. Visitors who make their way to Shaw Air Force Base will also find themselves greeted by another treat: explosions, smoke and fire by world record holders Rich's Incredible Pyro. The team earned their place in the Guinness Book of World Records at an air show in Dayton, Ohio by creating a 3,600-foot-long and 300-foot-high wall of fire. Four years later, they beat their record in Terre Haute, Ind. by increasing the length of the wall of fire to 6,736 feet. "It would have actually been longer," said Rich Gibson, owner of Rich's Incredible Pyro. "But, we ran out of room. Unofficially, we actually have more world records." Gibson began his Rockford, Ill.-based company about 32 years ago as hobby. "I always loved things that blew up," he said. "I used to work with explosives in the Army and just continued doing it after." Since the success of his company exploded, Gibson's team now performs at air shows around the world and averages about 15 locations per year. The team even performed at Shaw's last air show in 2010. "I originally saw them at an air show at Naval Air Station Oceania (Va.) in 2008," said Dan Tindall, 20th Operations Support Squadron data automations chief. "I talked to them while I was there. They were very professional and we got them to perform here." Gibson said he is excited to be heading back to Shaw. "Things were organized perfectly the last time we were there," he said. "It was one of the best we've been to." Those who attended the last air show can expect bigger and better things from them this time, Gibson added. "We'll be having a 1,000-foot wall of fire and some (simulated) strafing runs," he continued. "It'll be great. People come back time and time again to see this. You'll feel the wall when we set it off." The wall of fire is what they're known for, Gibson explained. A lot of work has gone into making sure it works perfectly. Safety is their number one priority and in their 32 years of business, no one has been hurt. "We know exactly what happens when we push the button," Gibson said. "Everything is well practiced and rehearsed." People can plan on seeing the explosions during the air power demo and the warbird attack, Tindall said. It is a privilege to put on a show for the military, Gibson exclaimed. "We love our military," he said. "They are the backbone of our country. My wife and I were military and it is still a part of us. It's an honor to do this."