Keesler airfield gets much needed makeover

A C-130J Hercules aircraft takes flight March 5, 2012, at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler prepares for Angels over the Bay air show with site visit from Blue Angels

Members of the Blue Angles, the U.S. Navy air demonstration team, visited Keesler Nov. 18, 2010, for a preseason site visit. While here members surveyed Keesler’s airfield, ramp setup and base accommodations in preparation for Keesler’s “Angels Over the Bay” air show and open house which will take place March 19 and 20, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mr. Justin Cooper/ released)

Airfield safety demands removal of live oak

A T-1 Jayhawk skidded off the runway near the Bay Breeze Golf Course, Aug. 20, 2003. (U.S. Air Force photo by Howard Parker)

Hurricane Hunters fly winters collecting data for weather service

The Hurricane Hunters collect data ahead of winter storms to improve accuracy of forecast models by 15 percent. In addition to Pacific storms, the squadron, shown here de-icing a plane, flies along the eastern seaboard during winter storms, which often form from December through April. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Randy Bynon)

2009 Air Show

The Air Force Thunderbirds get in some practice sessions March 3 in advance of the Thunder on the Bay Air Show March 4-5. The Thunderbirds are making their first air show appearance at Keesler since 1995. It’s Keesler’s first air show in five years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2009 Air Show

The Air Force Thunderbirds get in some practice sessions March 3 in advance of the Thunder on the Bay Air Show March 4-5. The Thunderbirds are making their first air show appearance at Keesler since 1995. It’s Keesler’s first air show in five years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2009 Air Show

The Air Force Thunderbirds get in some practice sessions March 3 in advance of the Thunder on the Bay Air Show March 4-5. The Thunderbirds are making their first air show appearance at Keesler since 1995. It’s Keesler’s first air show in five years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2009 Air Show

The Air Force Thunderbirds get in some practice sessions March 3 in advance of the Thunder on the Bay Air Show March 4-5. The Thunderbirds are making their first air show appearance at Keesler since 1995. It’s Keesler’s first air show in five years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Advance planning makes air show a breeze

A B-52 Stratofortress prepares for refueling over Afghanistan during a close-air-support mission. A B-52 from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., will do a fly-by at Keesler’s Thunder on the Bay Air Show and Open House, April 4-5. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Eyes to the skies

Keesler artist Suzan Templin created this poster to promote Keesler’s Thunder on the Bay Air Show and Open House. Performances by the Air Force Thunderbirds, Army Golden Knights, Trojan Phlyers aerobatic team, Air Force Wings of Blue parachute team, T-33 vintage Thunderbird and others are planned. Demonstrations of the Navy F-18, Coast Guard search and rescue team and Keesler’s C-130s and C-21s are also on the schedule. For complete information about the event, visit the Keesler public Web site, http://www.keesler.af.mil and click on the “Thunder on the Bay” icon.

2009 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House

The Air Force Thunderbirds perform an aerial demonstration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristi Machado)

2009 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House

The Air Force Thunderbirds perform an aerial demonstration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Technical Sgt. Justin Pyle)

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House (U.S. Air Force photo by Michelle Freeck)

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House (U.S. Air Force photo by Michelle Freeck)

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House

2004 Keesler Air Force Base Air Show and Open House (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Students arrive by C-17 Globemaster III

A C-17 Globemaster III from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., picked up 102 basic training graduates from Lackland AFB, Texas, and delivered them to Keesler, for technical training. Normally the students travel by charter bus, leaving Lackland in the early morning hours, arriving Mondays at Keesler nearly 13 hours later. Due to Hurricane Ike, which caused massive damage throughout Texas and congestion on I-10, the 1.5 hour flight was deemed safer and more efficient. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Students arrive by C-17 Globemaster III

A C-17 Globemaster III from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., picked up 102 basic training graduates from Lackland AFB, Texas, and delivered them to Keesler, for technical training. Normally the students travel by charter bus, leaving Lackland in the early morning hours, arriving Mondays at Keesler nearly 13 hours later. Due to Hurricane Ike, which caused massive damage throughout Texas and congestion on I-10, the 1.5 hour flight was deemed safer and more efficient. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)