Thunder Over Dover 2017

Eight-year-old Johnathan Walters of Milford, Del., sits in a C-17 Globemaster III’s flightdeck during the Thunder Over Dover Open House Aug. 27, 2017, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Walters and his family were one of countless other families given the opportunity to tour the inside of Team Dover’s aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia)

Thunder Over Dover 2017

A C-5M Super Galaxy approaches for landing after completing an aerial demonstration during the Thunder Over Dover Open House Aug. 27, 2017, over Dover Air Force Base, Del. The open house featured Team Dover C-5M and C-17 Globemaster III aerial demonstrations, highlighting Dover’s Rapid Global Mobility mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia)

Thunder Over Dover 2017

Capt. Mike Knapp, 3d Airlift Squadron pilot, speaks to attendees during the Thunder Over Dover Open House Aug. 27, 2017, onboard a C-17 Globemaster III at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Knapp also acted as the operations project officer for the Thunderbirds during the open house. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia)

Thunder Over Dover 2017

Attendees file into the rear of a C-5M Super Galaxy during the Thunder Over Dover Open House Aug. 27, 2017, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. Dover AFB’s fleet of C-5Ms are operated by the active duty 9th Airlift Squadron and the Reserve 709th AS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia)

Thunder Over Dover 2017

Senior Airman James Felter, 3d Airlift Squadron loadmaster, speaks to attendees during the Thunder Over Dover Open House Aug. 27, 2017, onboard a C-17 Globemaster III at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The C-17 and C-5M Super Galaxy static-displayed aircraft featured aircrew members who highlighted their aircraft, their mission and their jobs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia)

Open House highlights Dover’s Rapid Global Mobility

Published Aug. 29, 2017
By Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Yeah, a B-2 Spirit flyby and the Thunderbirds are cool, but if you were to ask any Team Dover Airman what they thought was cool, they would tell you something along the lines of flying monsters.

Held over the weekend of Aug. 26-27, the Thunder Over Dover Open House showcased the capabilities of the Air Force as a whole and Dover AFB’s Rapid Global Mobility mission, while celebrating its longstanding relationship with the local Dover community.

“It’s great to be able to show the public exactly what Dover Air Force Base does,” said Col. Larry Nance, 436th Operations Group commander. “It’s even better that we have our Airmen on the aircraft themselves, so they can explain what they do. Without the people, the airplanes are nothing.”

Nearly 50 aircraft were on display during the open house. Dover AFB being home to a fleet of C-5M Super Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III airlifters, put them on display on the ground and with aerial demonstrations.

“The public has been so excited and interested,” said Nance. “They were climbing all around the C-5 and C-17. That’s what is wonderful about our particular airplanes, they can actually climb on them and see around.”

Capt. Ryan McCord, 9th Airlift Squadron C-5M pilot, was happy to be out on the aircraft showing the public what it was all about.

“It’s a great opportunity to show everybody what the C-5M can do,” said McCord. “It’s really awesome for the local community to actually come out and see what we do on a daily basis.”

Capt. Ricardo Morales, 3d AS C-17 pilot, echoed McCord.

“It’s a good experience to be able to have the community here and to show them what we do,” Morales said. “It’s fun to be able to talk about something you know about and see how everybody is excited to see what you do.”

Both static displayed aircraft on the ground had active duty and Reserve aircrew members onboard, creating a total force atmosphere that mimicked Dover AFB’s operational atmosphere.

Dover-native Staff Sgt. Jacob Voshell, 709th AS, was one of the Reservists onboard the C-5M.

“This shows that we have a great capacity for teamwork between the 9th and 709th Airlift Squadrons,” said Voshell.

Voshell stated that the reactions from the public were great.

“The community is fantastic, everybody is very positive, tons of smiles and everyone is amazed by the C-5 and how big it is,” said Voshell. “I’ve answered a lot of questions. It’s nice to see the reactions over and over again. I keep hearing people say ‘Wow, this thing is huge.’”