THROUGH THE LENS: Pacific Airshow GC 2024.
Paradise City turns it on for the second annual PAGC airshow.
Article: Daniel Vorbach
Images: Daniel Vorbach, Caelan McDougall, Joel Thomas
The 2024 Pacific Airshow again was a massive hit on only its second year running, drawing in a record-breaking crowd of aviation enthusiasts and spectators alike! The event saw thousands of people flocking to the picture perfect white sands of Queensland’s Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, to witness the spectacular aerial displays and thrilling performances, both in the sky & on the beach.
The sky was buzzing with sounds & excitement of ear splitting jets & graceful warbirds, captivating the hearts of all who attended.
One of the highlights of the airshow was the Sunday demonstration from the Royal Australian Air Forces 100 Squadron, Vietnam War era Canberra Bomber, leaving the audience in awe, as Air Chief Marshall (Ret) Mark Binskin paid tribute to servicemen on what was their day, Vietnam Veterans Day.
The dazzling aerobatic displays were shared by airshow regulars from Matt Hall Racing, Aaron Deliu & Jeff Boerboon in his quirky but impressive YAK-110 which was created by joining two YAK-55’s together. There was also a highly entertaining display by Freedom Formation, the largest team in the Southern Hemisphere & their collection of Van’s RV aircraft.
As both defence forces from the United States and Australia work ever closer together, the U.S. Pacific Air Forces as with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps contributed a sizeable footprint of aircraft operating from Gold Coast airport, with the highlight being the F-22A Raptors from the Hawaiian based 19th and 199th Fighter Squadrons, that were in the country training along side Royal Australian Air Force aircraft during exercise Iron Raptor held at RAAF Base Williamtown near Newcastle, NSW.
The Marine Rotational Force-Darwin ACE (Air Combat Element) again was on show with VMM-268 MV-22 Ospreys returning to the starting line up for the event. Last year the ACE from the MRF-D consisted of VMM-363 MV-22’s participated in the airshow, both units hale from Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
A late addition to the show was the RAAF F-35A Lightning II display conducted by demo pilot ‘KP’ to conclude the show on both the Saturday and Sunday, giving a chance for the younger generation of future aviators a glance at what they could fly if they chose to be a RAAF aviator.
Still in its infancy the Pacific Airshow on the Gold Coast was truly a thrilling and unforgettable experience, showcasing the beauty and power of aviation in a mesmerising display of skill and technology. The excitement and awe
inspired by the aerial performances at the airshow will surely be etched in the memories of all who attended.
