Raptor Symphony
Prose: Ryan Kelly
Photography: Ryan Kelly, Nicholas Pascarella, Ryan Tykosh, James Woodard
In just our second year, we have eclipsed what we could have ever imagined here at Full Disc. What started as a podcast idea (by the way, we finally did that!) has turned into friendships and brotherhoods, and has ushered in some incredible experiences, fostering deep relationships with some incredible people. Earlier this year in April, we met with the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team through close coordination with their Public Affairs Officer, Lt. Sam Eckholm, and brought to life what truly makes our mission and goals different at FDA in an emotional, gripping dive into the F-22 Demonstration Team members' motivations and aspirations.
As our season continued, we realized there would be one final show in Delaware where we would be able to link up with Lt. Eckholm, Lt. Col. Paul “Loco” Lopez, and the F-22 Demonstration Team. Once again, we reached out to Sam with some ideas, and he enthusiastically jumped on board to help facilitate another unique opportunity. With close coordination between Lt. Eckholm and the airshow air boss, a few of us were able to stand next to the massive Dover Air Force Base runway for the Raptor’s demonstration at Thunder over Dover.
We made our way across the field with Sam through shin-high grass as Loco taxied the Raptor to the end of the very long runway. It was a hot day, and the heat haze produced a mirage with warbly mirror images of the distant Raptor as Loco slowly repositioned for takeoff. We waited in the calm before the storm, sweating under the mid afternoon sun, until we heard thunder from the far end of the runway.
The sound of the mighty engines of the Raptor from the crowd line are certainly intimidating, but standing in front of the aircraft as it barrels down the runway is a whole new animal, which may be how it received its name. Loco pulled the Raptor off the ground, banking slightly away from the runway, before pulling nearly vertical right in front of us, filling our viewfinders and rattling our chests in full afterburner. Watching Loco maneuver the aircraft above and around us gave us great appreciation for the incredible technology our front line Airmen have available at their fingertips. The Raptor is no small bird, and Loco flies the aircraft nimbly to its (near) limits.
After the aerial shredding via Loco and the Raptor, Andrew McKenna and Jim Beasley, flying formation in two P-51s, circled behind the crowd line, eventually joining up on Loco’s wings, culminating front-line fighter past and present. Standing beside the runway was also a very unique angle to capture this Heritage Flight, as the aircraft passed in front of the sun in formation a number of times. After the formation flight, the aircraft broke from one another for single ship passes down the runway, and McKenna and Beasley in the Mustangs gave us some high quality buzz cuts.
After about 25 minutes from the roaring start, Loco glided the F-22 down for a greaser of a landing. He taxied back along the crowd line, pumping his fists and waving to the crowd as they cheered and waved back; from our runway vantage point, seeing both the crowd's reaction to Loco and Loco's appreciation of the crowd at the same time was a magical moment.
We (and me personally) would like to extend a massive thank you to Loco, Lt. Eckholm, the entire F-22 Raptor Demo Team, and Air Combat Command for everything this year. We’ve loved every second of it and look forward to continue building this meaningful relationship.
Until next time, Fly, Fight, Win.
