Crowds Gather at Selfridge Air Show to See 'What Keeps Our Country Safe'

Jul. 11—Thousands of spectators took in the recent Selfridge Air Show from just about every place they could fit in — from inside Selfridge Air National Guard Base, as part of a tailgating party and bobbing out in Lake St. Clair.

There was no official attendance immediately available for the two-day 2022 Selfridge Open House & Air Show in Macomb County, but plenty of visitors said they appreciated Team Selfridge's efforts to make the place look good for a day of displays, flight demonstrations and air acrobatics.

"I just wanted to take my kids to see what's involved in keeping our country safe, like the different types of aircraft," said Sandra Aderholdt, of Grand Blanc. "My mom used to take me to the air show when I was a kid, and I wanted my kids to see it."

Her fiancé, Brandon Heineman, a retired Army staff sergeant, said he felt like a "tourist" being with the civilian crowd instead of showing off the planes and equipment.

"I've seen so many of these Warthogs and A10s in Afghanistan and Iraq. I'll tell you, it's one of the best sounds a soldier can ever hear is one of those Warthogs coming in overhead," he said.

Hosted by the Michigan National Guard's 127th Wing at Selfridge, the free show featured aerial acts and static displays that highlighted the U.S. military. Included were about 30 aircraft from World Wars I and II, including the 127th Wing's own KC-135 Stratotanker and A-10 Thunderbolt.

The show also included the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, C-17 Globemaster III, A-10 Thunderbolt II, KC-135 Stratotanker, U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook, C-130 Hercules, Golden Knights elite parachute team, U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin and Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18.

Organizers said crowds enjoyed picture-perfect weather, with highs in the low 80-degree range and a cool breeze blowing in from the lake.

"This is so awesome," said Scott Arsenault, as he watched an aircraft rise into the air.

Many folks, with children in tow, waited in line for nearly an hour to board some of the aircraft. They compared the wait to being in line at Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio.

"My son wanted to see the big planes and you don't often get the opportunity to see these, especially up close," said Brandon Bialas, of Bruce Township. "Everything here is well organized and everyone on the base is super friendly."

One display that attracted a huge line of people was the P/A A-18 Hornet, the so-called Top Gun: Maverick Experience owned by DreamBig Entertainment.

DreamBig took a decommissioned F/A-18 cockpit section and developed it into an interactive event and museum piece. Visitors get to wear helmets like a real fighter pilot and can have their photo taken with a Tom Cruise color cardboard cutout or mannequin, according to retired Col. Dewey "Jellyfish" Larson, the owner.

Larson says business was good coming out of COVID, but even better since the release of "Top Gun: Maverick."

"When the movie came out in June, my business has grown exponentially," he said, motioning to the long line of people waiting for their chance to see the plane.

"These people are waiting an hour or longer to have that once-in-a-lifetime experience to wrap their hands around the controls and just for a moment imagine what it must be like to be Air Force pilot."

Event draws people from wide radius

First time Selfridge Air Show & Open House attendee Sue Johnson said she decided to check out the event on July 9 because she just really likes airplanes. But one aircraft in particular truly captured her attention.

"The F-22 Raptor," said Johnson. "I'm really excited to see it."

Most of the attendees on July 9 mentioned the United States Air Force's newest fighter aircraft as something that drew them to the show.

Steve Deyoub, of Rochester Hills, said he and his sons are airplane aficionados and came to the show to see the various demonstrations and to explore some of the many static displays. He, too, was looking forward to seeing the F-22 Raptor.

"The F-22 is new so I think that makes it exciting," said Deyoub.

Like many large, public events, the Selfridge Air Show has been on a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. Many people had made the annual air show a family tradition and were thrilled to be able to participate again this year.

Jason Jewell is a Cub Scout leader from Rochester Hills and typically arranges for members of his troop to attend the air show. This year about a half-dozen of them were at Selfridge with him checking out the many displays prior to the start of the flight demonstrations.

"Having the kids be able to see some of the planes close up is just a tremendous experience," said Jewell. "You just see their faces light up. We've always taken a group of scouts to this event and we very much missed it the past two years. It is great to be back."

For Milan's Mike Grutt, the air show brought back a sense of nostalgia. He grew up living at air bases and as a child, air shows were a standard activity for him and his parents. Saturday, he was with his teenage son just taking it all in and fostering a family tradition.

"I bet it has been 30 years since I've been to one of these," said Grutt. "My son and I do a lot of plane spotting out at Detroit Metro and we are both huge into planes so I knew we would both enjoy this today. I am glad they were able to have it this year. Hopefully, we can make this a regular thing."

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