Dyess AFB 2015 Open House

Big Country Airfest 2015 was held in Dyess AFB Abilene Texas. Home of the 7th Bomb Wing flying the B-1B Lancer and 317th Airlift Group C-130J. Both belongs to the Air combat command.

This airshow was very unique with a B-1B with US Army AH-64D, UH-60L tactical demo and C-130J para drop demo. This is followed by the Marines AV-8b Harrier single ship demo, US Army Parachute team and the USAF Thunderbirds. Civilian warbirds include Mig17, Thunderbird B-17 and Vietnam war aircraft demonstration. Besides the flying display this show promise very good static display. Here are a list of the aircraft that was present on static display.

Units and Aircraft Types

61^st FS “Top Dogs” F-35A x2, Luke AFB

95^th FS “Mr. Bones” F-22A x1, Tyndall AFB

VAQ-138 “Yellowjackets” EF-18G x2, NAS Whibley Island

VMA-211 “wake Island Avengers” AV-8B x2 AV-8B+ x1, MCAS Cherry Point

155^th ARW KC-135R Nebraska ANG x1, Lincoln ANG Base

389^th FS “Thunderbolts” F-15E x1, Mountain Home AFB

355^th FW A-10C x2, Davis Monthan AFB

VT-23 professionals T-2Cx1, NAS Kingsville

97^th AMW C-17A x1, Altus AFB

55^th Operation Group RC-135 x1

2^nd OG B52H, Barkesdale AFB

12th Flying Training Wing , RA T38C, Randolph AFB

7th Bomb Wing B-1B, Dyess AFB

28th Bomb Wing B-1B, Ellsworth AFB

317th Airlift Group C-130J, Dyess AFB

227th AVN , 1st Calvary Division UH-60L x2, Ft Hood

227th AVN , 1st Calvary AH-64D x3, Ft Hood

227th AVN , 1st Calvary CH-47D x1, Ft Hood

We arrive on base and there was a line form up at the gate . Gate open right on the dot at 0900hrs and on the way in we spot a single ship B-1B DY tail code taking off . We also spot a WA tail code B-1B on the tarmac not on display. Security check was thorough and I did not get to bring in my backpack which makes things so much harder. The highlights of the air display was the 2 ship B-1B taking off followed by 3 ship C-130J. The C130J did a tactical cargo drop which was spectacular. The B1, AH64 and UH60L from Ft hood did a tactical demo simulating taking over of enemy held territory with Combine arms from USAF and US ARMY. Unfortunately for Dyess AFB’s runway locatioin, the lightning turns bad after 1300hrs and that is when the Harrier demo and Tactical demo starts which makes a lot of very challenging photography. Adding to that, the runway was way further than most airfields I have been. Making good photography even harder with the heat haze. Overall, the show was organized very well and we had a great time attending this event. Hoping to visit this great base again.

Air display actions

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B-1B and Local Squadron of Dyess AFB

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Static DIsplay

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Photographers Hard @ work and the Airwingspotter Team