[MilCom] Westfield International Air Show On Scene Report

[Ken]

2nd try:

I attended the show yesterday (Saturday) arriving at approx 0800 hrs local &
finally departing successfuly out of the parking area (lot C), at approx
1820 hrs local with a bit of a sunburn and a bit dehydrated, but very happy
about the day and the chance to meet other old/know as well as new milcom
monitoring hobbyists!

Frequencies in use:
Aero Related:
Air Boss 118.9/251.1, 121.7/289.4
Civilian Performers:  122.125 & 123.15, 123.425, 123.475
TBirds:  413.275 (NFM), 216.725/216.975 ((NFM)PA system interface), 141.07,
235.25
State Police Helo tactical air/air (two helos including their new one)
123.025

Base Support Nets:
Also what was VERY interesting is that the base was using at least 6 VHF
channels in the 163-165, & 173-174 mhz range (all P25 Digital CAI), as well
as some "known" (2 channels) digital frequencies in the 148-150 mhz area.
There was also some traffic monitored close call capture in the 406-410 mhz
area.   My theory before was that the 104 FW rebanding/narrow banding
implementation had all base nets on the 138-144, 148-150.8 mhz range.
Monitoring indicated that there were 15 or 16 channels available in the VHF
portable radios.  So further research by radio hobbyists will be needed to
confirm all the regular/typical base radio support nets in use.

Local Public Safety:
Typical Westfield PD (800 mhz), FD/EMS (VHF highband)
MA State Police 800 mhz Trunking System (Talk groups 36592 (statewide Air
Wing), & 33456 (Troop E Mass Turnpike) & 36624 (Local (LOC-10 "Special
Events").
MA State PD Troop E Turnpike VHF (159.225R).
State Police 800 mhz 2 ITAC's (not rebanded) & 800 mhz SP 2 simplex
conventional.

Display Aircraft/serial numbers (not all inclusive, I had an issue with my
digital camera that wasn't immediately discovered):
Cessna 182, Civil Air Patrol, N373CP
Gippsland, G8A, Civil Air Patrol, N473CP
C21, CT ANG, 84125
C23, Sherpa C23, 31325
C130, 910 AW, AFRC 230234
C130, 143 AW, RI ANG, 61438
EC130, 910 AW, 23024
CF 18, 188787
CH 46, "Black Hawks"
CH 47, CT ANG?, 097 (helo likely had been overseas, based upon paint damage
from dust storms)
EA 6B, USMC, CB 160432, VMAQ-1
F15, MO, AF 87204
F15, MO, AF 87208
F15, MA, 104 FW, AF 78499
F15, MA, 104 FW, AF 78520
F15, MA, 104 FW, AF 84013
F15, MA, 104 FW, AF 86158
F16, AF 87243
F16, ?
OH 58, MA ANG 16XXX (picture didn't come out)
P3, (no markings), 161406
KC135, NH ANG, 23536
T6 Texan II, RA, 00594
T38, EN, AF 66392, "Boxin Bears"
UH60, MA ANG, 20133 (medivac helo)
(didn't take any of the warbirds).
Also a Civilian Helo R22 Beta II (wow this is pretty small two seater
trainer).

Some Military Demonstration Callsigns:
DEMO 1 (F/A 18)
DEMON 41 & 42 (F16's)
Golden Knights 607 (Fokker C31A)
KILLER 1 (F15's)
(sorry didn't get others)
TBIRD 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  (F16's)

Other Exhibtors:
Many Veterans groups (WWII, Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq/Afghanistan "Honor
Wall"), military historical groups,  Civil Air Patrol, AF Recruiting, AF
ROTC, AF Academy, Westover 439AW Patriot Council (air show Westover 2012),
AF MARS (were using digital HF), FAA, Transportation Security Administration
(were recruiting personnel both full & part time), USCG Aux, some other non
profits, (filling all 3 alert facility aircraft shelter buildings), etc,
etc.

Additionally Comments:
*"Wagon Guys" were at the show line with the loads of mobile scanners & DC
power supply, as well as the American flag waving proudly on the portable
antenna mast pole and was a rallying point for many monitoring hobbyists who
walked the entire show line and spotted them (easily).
*No walk up stairs to any of the fighter aircraft.
*Mach 1 Productions appeared to be the air boss for this air show.
*Lots of new construction had been completed on Barnes ANG Base, including a
new alert facility.  Many security enhancements both physical &
electronic/technical were noted.  They take their new homeland defense
mission very seriously at this base.

I don't think the organizer's were prepared for the large number of people
that would show up in one day (approx 180K) (due to bad weather forcast for
Sunday), the portable rest rooms were a mess with most having long lines.
There seemed to be plenty of food/drink concessions, and generally one could
find one without a large line.   Apparently as the day went on many people
traveling on a 65 MPH Interstate 90 West bound, thought they could make it
to the show quickly and this resulted in a massive traffic jam westbound on
the pike extending over 25 miles to the east.  They finally ended closing
all the parking lots due to them being filled up, so some were actually
stuck on the tunpike as the planes flew over the show box area (including
TBirds).  One commented that it was too bad the performers didn't just do
some passes right down the pike east bound

It was a fun day, and as with all air shows the theory of "arrive early" and
plan to "stay late", as well as have the capability to be "patient" and show
common courtesy to all.

Ken
Springfield MA Monitoring Area