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Texas Air Fiesta
November 11, 2006
Waco, Texas
by Rodney Robinson
Joe Nemmer knows how to put on an air event! He doesn't just do "an air show", he puts
on an event from start to finish that is geared to show his participants that they are
appreciated. Air Fiesta Waco is just a one day show, but all the participants are
asked to stay over Saturday night so they can enjoy a catered meal on reserved
tables, dance to a very versatile DJ and drink free beer!! But before we could do
all of this, we had to a show to do.
Col. Gena Linebarger was asked to be the SIC of this years Waco show. She assigned
the team and designed the spread layout. David ran the field and I was asked by
Gena to stay close to her side. The show started out with a kink…..Friday evening,
we all learned that Russell Royce (Ralph's son and the planned air boss for the show)
was involved in a serious auto accident. Details on his condition were sketchy and
I am still unable to relay his present status. All I heard was that it was serious.
Beth Jenkins who had just flown in on Devil Dog was asked to be air boss. She very
hurriedly made a show schedule and prepared for the following days show. At brief,
she informed everyone that she would be the boss in the beginning, and then turn
it over to Mike Collier as she left to fly the Dog in the show. Gena learned that
it is very complicated to have a "new" air boss, but to have two bosses during the
show, just made the situation that much more confusing. She made it work.
On the field, we had just about a little bit of everything. We had the standard fare
for Tora, Doolittle, and Army Air Corps Bombers, and just a little extra for Viet Nam.
We had regular bomb shots, walking bombs, strafes, hot strafes, a Spider, a wall and
a "cluster" for Nam. Ryan Linebarger was given the cluster to set up. I know that
his boss lady Mama was real proud. With only a few glitches on the radio (as was
to be expected with the air boss situation), the show was handled very nicely by
our SIC in training. Well done, boss!
As I mentioned in the beginning, Col. Nemmer knows how to entertain his guests.
At the Saturday night function, EOD returned the favor by awarding him a check for
$500. Presenting the check to Joe were Sharon and Sandy Farris. As was noted by
the ladies in their presentation, this show marks a very enjoyable end to the air
show season and gives us the opportunity to reflect back upon this year and look
forward to the upcoming one with renewed excitement. See yall next year!
Those attending were:
Rodney Robinson, Amanda and Brian Terry, David and Brianne Followell,
Christi Shull, Sharon and Sandy Farris, Frank Wilson, Cody Furlow,
David, Gena, Jeremy and Ryan Linebarger, Johnny Fayo, Chris Trobridge,
Bruce and Susie Day, Mr. & Mrs. Tom Horton, Patrick and Rhonda Burke
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