Behind-the-scenes Airmen vital to air show static displays

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anna-Marie Wyant
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MACDILLL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  More than 40 military static aircraft displays were showcased on the flight line here today for AirFest, the base's annual air show. Service members and civilians were welcomed to view unique military and civilian aircraft from across the country.

From F-22 Raptors from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, to a C-130 Hercules cargo plane from the New York Air National Guard, Airfest attendees were allowed to take pictures, ask questions, and even go inside some of the aircraft. Crewmembers gladly answered questions, posed for pictures and signed autographs. While these personable crewmembers contributed greatly to Airfest's success, other vital personnel kept a low profile during this high profile event.

Capt. John B. Wydro, the assistant static coordinator for Airfest, worked with a team of eight other Airmen behind the scenes to get the displays together. Captain Wydro, a KC-135 Stratotanker pilot and flight scheduler for the 6th Air Mobility Wing here, said getting the displays here took months of planning, with plans changing frequently.

"The most challenging part of getting the displays set up was keeping contact with all of the different individuals," Captain Wydro said.

Captain Wydro and his team had to figure out which aircraft were available, who to contact to get the aircraft here, how to accommodate crewmembers, all while being flexible enough to work unconventional hours and handle last-minute changes.

"It was a little bit harder to get some of these aircraft here because there were a lot of real-world exercises going on," Captain Wydro said. "That's why we couldn't get a C-17 [Globemaster III] or a C-5 [Galaxy], because they're so heavily utilized right now."

One member of the static coordination team, Staff Sgt. Mark A. Fioritto, a static coordination team member and boom operator for the 6th AMW, said the days before Airfest were long and stressful, working 15 hours Thursday and 17 hours Friday to properly accommodate static display crewmembers.

"I welcomed [the crewmembers], gave them the maps, set them up with rental cars, got them to their lodging, and basically ensured they were greeted with open arms and taken care of," Sergeant Fioritto said. "I didn't get to see my family at all yesterday; they were all in bed when I left for work and when I came back from work. But knowing the big picture, one day of sacrifice was worth it."

Sergeant Fioritto, who has participated in flyovers and displays for other air shows, said he prefers working behind the scenes.

"I prefer ground operations because I get to spend more time with my family," said Sergeant Fioritto, whose wife and three children spent the day at Airfest with him for the first time in three years.

Sergeant Fioritto's wife, Theresa, said although she and her children missed her husband during his long workdays, it was good to know his hard work paid off.

"It's awesome," said Mrs. Fioritto, who has attended Airfest for three consecutive years. T"his is the first year he's been able to spend time with us at the air show. It's nice to have him explain the different aircraft to me and the kids in his own words."

Mrs. Fioritto was not the only one who appreciated the hard work Sergeant Fioritto, Captain Wydro and the rest of the static coordination team did to make Airfest possible; approximately 100,000 attendees enjoyed the displays and the myriad of other air show offerings today.