The Salthill Air Show in Galway

by redjade Tue Feb 13, 2007 23:48

from American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2007 - The U.S. Air Force's elite demonstration squadron, the "Thunderbirds," will help kick off Super Bowl XLI in Miami with a flyover of Dolphin Stadium on Feb. 4.

The team's six red, white and blue F-16 fighter jets will roar over in their signature six-ship Delta formation at the conclusion of the national anthem. The aircraft will fly over at about 500 feet and 450 miles per hour.

"We are honored to participate in the Super Bowl, especially this year, as the United States Air Force commemorates our 60th anniversary," said Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins, Thunderbird commander.

The flyover is just one of many events the Thunderbirds will participate in during 2007 to commemorate the Air Force's six decades of air and space power.

more at
http://gazingattheflag.blogspot.com/2007/02/super-bowl-....html

.. .... ..

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Air_Force_Thunderbirds

Official Site
http://www.thunderbirds.acc.af.mil/

by Jennifer O Brien Wed Feb 14, 2007 10:11

Great news about the Thunderbirds coming to Ireland I saw them once in Florida and they are great.
As an American working in Ireland I am very proud that they are coming to Ireland. I hope that lots of people will come to see them in Galway

by Reason Wed Feb 14, 2007 13:38

Jennifer -we will be there all right...to object to displays of Us military force in a neutral country- In sympathy with those suffering in Iraq and all other conflicts caused/worsened by US military adventurisim.

by anon Wed Feb 14, 2007 16:44

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-16_Fighting_Falcon

by redjade Thu Apr 05, 2007 23:47

US Air Force Thunderbirds Aerial Demonstration Team
Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon
Royal Air Force Team Merlin Display - Merlin HC.3
Irish Air Corps Pilatus PC-9M
Irish Air Corps CASA CN235-100MP Persuader
Irish Air Corps Eurocopter EC135P2
Irish Air Corps Agusta Westland AW139
RAF Shorts Tucano T.1
Royal Air Force Grob Tutor

website: http://www.salthillairshow.com

- -- --- -- -

http://www.eurofighter.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurofighter_Typhoon

Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon

by wageslave Fri Apr 06, 2007 01:02

This is just one small part of an insidious combined strategy to get lots of young boys interested in flying warplanes and thus maintain a steady flow of trained pilots into the air force to kill for capitalism and empire.

Video games - airshows - military parades - etc etc.

Fucking warmonger shite. Come along and join in the local demonstration against this if you can.

by Fred Johnston Fri Apr 06, 2007 13:55 sylfredcar at iolfree dot ie 087.2178138

The Salthill Warshow is despicable, is the product of a callous City Council-led lobby whose interests are totally commercial; they have fingers in other pies, and I have noticed that now The Galway Advertiser is refusing to publish letters attacking the Salthill Show. This on another level is simply parochialism, farmers-at-a-gate, the mentality of a rural town. Money is God. Fingers fumble in Yeat's 'greasy till.' Recently, the Galway Radisson Hotel went one further (or lower) by hosting a ball for officers of the USAC! The local newspapers, naturally, carried photographs. In this town that boasts so many writers and artists, not one decided they had any duty to write to the papers and even TRY to get published. Now my saying that will rouse some brave souls, Galway-tied, who will attempt to reply to this anonymously, of course. They will accuse me of all sorts of things because I think they are old enough to have personal moral responsibilities. But the fact remains - the Salthill Warshow is an obscenity, and few towns in Ireland have demeaned themselves on behalf of US military might as Galway has. As for some of the writers - do they fear that getting into the US to do readings will be threatened if they protest?

by Ray Fri Apr 06, 2007 17:08

On the one hand you say:
"The Galway Advertiser is refusing to publish letters attacking the Salthill Show."

On the other you assert:
"In this town that boasts so many writers and artists, not one decided they had any duty to write to the papers and even TRY to get published."

How do you know that no-one has written a letter apart from your good self?

Do you have some inside info re: what goes on with the letters page of the Galway Advertiser?

by anti-war activist Fri Apr 06, 2007 17:17

"As for some of the writers - do they fear that getting into the US to do readings will be threatened if they protest?"

If this is true, it's appalling. If it's just a lazy jibe; it's very divisive stuff which will only help the supporters of the airshow.

Have some integrity and some balls, Fred: either name the names of the Galway writers who won't protest because the want junkets to the US, or withdraw that comment.

And don't even think about your usual anonymity rant. As the whole world increasingly knows, your own site is full of anonymous comments, which you didn't have the guts to append your name to.

by AWI'er Sat Apr 07, 2007 17:00

Has anybody watched Stargate Atlantis recently? Well, in two of the most recently aired episodes the 'heroes' (i.e. Americans protecting Earth from nasty things in Space) have deployed nuclear weapons to end threats to the 'homeworld'. This use of nukes is seen as unproblematic and the weapons are portrayed as an important defence against the 'outside threat'.

This positive portrayal of nuclear weapons has definitely become more common in Hollywood productions in recent times. It would be good if somebody did some research to see if it's linked to the panic-mongering after 9/11.

This Salthill airshow is all part of the same process - it's aimed at softening the image of what are essentially machines designed to kill large numbers of people. Somebody above called it war-porn. That's spot on.

Good luck to GAAW and all those out west who maintain these protests! Keep it up.

by Fred Johnston Mon Apr 09, 2007 20:43 sylfredcar at iolfree dot ie 087.2178138

Ooooh! The guys with itches they can't scratch are out! 'Ray' and 'anti-war activist' and all the rest . . . . The guys who don't exist. If I am a pain in the arse, why indulge me? Why reply? Why read me? (I do not have a site, actually - someone's been feeding you incorrect info.) How tiresome it must be to be prodded like this: why not write a letter to the Galway Advertiser protesting about the Salthill Warshow? Useful use of your spleen, mes enfants!! Better still - why not contact me directly - I know, it's harder to remain anonymous that way, but what the hell, you're big boys now. Allegedly.
My point stands. The Salthill Warshow is a disgrace. Galway boasts itself full of writers - one, maybe two, write letters on political issues. The rest . . . . . . . .?

by katiem - none Mon Apr 09, 2007 23:54

Im sorry, maybe the bank holiday has softended my brain, but has war been declared while I was enjoying the sun? I appreciate that fighter jets etc. are the tools of war, but in this case, I think that the reaction to the air show is just a little OTT. It's not like we are being given a guided tour of the most bombed sites in Iraq. Also, I think it is more than a bit patronising to assume that just because young men, or women, see these jets flying over, they are all going to rush to join the army! I assume, in that case, that none of the anti-war protestors have ever seen a war film, just in case it might corrupt them. It seems to me that every time the "ordinary folk" want a nice day out, there is someone with a cause out there to spoil the fun. Fair play to anyone whose social conscience is more developed than the rest of us plebs, but there really is no need to ram it down our throats. Peace man!

by Fred Johnston Mon Apr 16, 2007 15:45 sylfredcar at iolfree dot ie

It seems to me that unseemly things happen because eventually we all shut up and go away. The Salthill Airshow is an obscene and certainly not innocent display of war materiel designed, among other things, to give the impression of war, death and destruction being far removed from ordinary life, a dream, a circus show. This in turn numbs us, eventually, to the terrible realities of missile-bombing, for example, that we see on the news. This is not an accident; a friend of mine, a one-time US Air Force pilot, told me that part of their organised propaganda was to stage such airshows whereever they happened to be (particularly abroad). It's a show of might, of force. And we have grown so blind in Ireland that we cannot see it for what it is. Ironically, not having spent a penny on upgrading the water supply in Galway, the burghers on the City Council have boasted (yes, 'boasted') that this year's Airshow will cost more than in previous years!!! They equate the airshow with making money, not with death and American firepower - no one should remember, watching the pretty birds fly, the dreadful cockpit video shown recently in all broadcast visual media, where the US pilot obliterated a young British soldier with 'friendly fire.' Or was that just another video game? Let's get real. Let's not be a party to this. Clearly it is more 'glamorous' to be photographed beside a handsome young US pilot in his full uniform on a sunny day in Galway than beside the rubble-covered corpse of a woman he or his companions have, in the line of duty, buried under an air-attack. Anyway, all that sort of things happens to people who are not like us, isn't that right? Sure it is.

by John Cantrell Mon Apr 16, 2007 20:27

For f..k sake would you lighten up, is Salthill the only Air Show in the World there are thousands of them, do you write these crap letters about them, I dont think so, do the miillions od people who go to them have the same opinion as you I dont think so.

Get a life like a good man if you were in Kosovo or Bosnia you would not write like you do and you would be damn glad to see these aircraft flying overhead

by Fred Johnston Tue Apr 17, 2007 03:07 sylfredcar at iolfree dot ie

Bosnia? Kosovo? Yes, I seem to have read something about a bridge being blown up there from the air . . . . . I am concerned with Ireland, I am concerned with what happens in Galway. I believe the Salthill Airshow is a travesty, a circus of killing machines and a money-spinner, as a consequence of pretending that these fighter aircraft are mere toys, for some of Galway's burghers. Naturally, that makes me a crank.

by Me07 Thu Apr 19, 2007 02:08

Gentlemen, Gentlemen, I am involved in the media, I am a member of amnesty international, I am anti-war, and I know the Salthill airshow is a free event to promote tourism and an interest in aviation... without any other real motives....

.... Need I say more, okay, please, please, please head either further east by about 200miles or further west by 2000 if you really want to see nations that actually have a motive in recruiting soldiers, Ireland has been SAVING LIFES not killing people in their defence forces for nearly 80 years, get over yourself, cop on, and go complain at Shannon or Aldergrove where planes actually do fly about the place from America, and help keep them out like the rest of us there... Galway is a free family fun day out, I'm not brainwashed, I'm paid to be impartial... just realise that sometimes having a bit of pride and good clean fun is a good thing!

Cheers,
Have a great airshow!

by Me07 Thu Apr 19, 2007 02:12

Cough Cough Stargate watchers are suddenly becoming anti-high tech warfare, please... head to Shannon as I said and leave it alone, you'll turn up, you'll be most likely be arrested if you cause a nuseince, and then your mug will be on the front of every tabloid in the country, with some flashy title throwing your career and social life down the drain...

by Queen Medbh Fri May 04, 2007 14:35

Curious how little is appearing nowadays in local Galway papers about the Airshow at Salthill, as talk of extra funding for the war display would not go well in a City Council warcked by problems over the city's drinking-water. Also, election canvassing is on, and no one wants to be caught at a doorstep on the issue. Curious how the macho boasting and parading of the Airshow has disappeared in the local media. The Councillors who are businessmen seem to have lost their appetite for arguing the toss about it. Funny how local elections affect the appetite for displays of US military firepower.

by Marcus Aurelius Wed May 16, 2007 00:40

Galway City Council have no problem voting an extra €85,000 to the Galway Arts Festival - while pleading that no one arts' group in that city gets special treatment; so perhaps there's no money left over for the Airshow? And no one can drink the water anyway there. The Airshow was a concoction dreamed up by Salthill businessmen. Notions of ethics or morality didn't come into it.

by redjade Wed May 16, 2007 23:41

Flying Display:
US Air Force Thunderbirds Aerial Demonstration Team
Irish Air Corps Pilatus PC-9M
Irish Air Corps CASA CN235-100MP Persuader
Irish Air Corps Eurocopter EC135P2
Irish Air Corps Agusta Westland AW139
Royal Air Force Shorts Tucano T.1
Royal Air Force Grob Tutor
Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon
Coast Guard Sikorsky S-61N
Royal Netherlands Air Force AB412
Irish Army Parachute Display Team - The Black Knights

Static Display:
Royal Air Force Merlin - Merlin HC.3 (Pending Confirmation)
Royal Navy Westland Sea King MK.4
Irish Air Corps Eurocopter EC135P2
Irish Air Corps Agusta Westland AW139
Royal Netherlands Air Force AB412

Ground Display:
Irish Army Weapons Display
Civil Defence

Ships and Boats:
Irish Naval Service
Civil Defence
R.N.L.I.

more details at http://www.salthillairshow.com

check out the website for details about the 'After Show Party' - looks like the place to be ;-)

by mrmeindl Tue May 22, 2007 00:13

For gods sake will you please be a bit more mature abot the Airshow, thats all it is -an Airshow. Irish people cannot join trh US Air Force as pilots so It will NOT cause Irish Boys and Girls to become "killing machines" in Iraq or elsewhere. As you should appreciate for 99.9% of the attendees at the airshow it is an enjoyable family day out. it is the Hippy's and the Palestinian solidarity campaign in Galway trying to ruin everything for the normal Galway residents. I am a shamed to be from Galway with all these crazy's living in the city.

by wageslave Tue May 22, 2007 04:16

I was talking about airshows in general as part of a recruitment strategy. And they are. Also they are a show of force to remind us who is boss (rather like the way we are beseiged by programs like "cops" on tv to remind us to stay in line)

Why else would the military co-operate. It costs them money to show up. These guys worship the dollar and don't do anything costly without good reasons.

In the case of the galway show, as you point out, they won't really get many pilots directly (although you might be surprised to hear they do get the odd irish pilot) they get their return by polarising public opinion behind their wars (good PR) which helps them keep a foothold in shannon and helps them get away a little longer with their atrocities in iraq etc. Also it serves to remind us how scary their planes are if we ever get on the wrong side of them.

Getting people excited about the technology may also help to make people more tolerant of the arms trade and it's supporting industries operating in their midst. And we have a few such companies in ireland.

Why not have a show without warplanes. You could still have a fun outing for the family without glorifying these killing machines and giving them good PR

by John Boy Tue May 22, 2007 08:59

I saw a show on television where there were planes flying in an aerobatic manner. I threw away my tv set and protestec to Sharp for their war mongering and indeed BBC.

I should have expected it of BBC, of course, what with their pro-war policy.

So anyway, I bought a new television not made by Sharp and refused to watch BBC. I turned on some Swiss TV channels, since they are famed for their knives and neutrality, not to mention cheese, and there was a a shoot-out on some tv show. More glorification of war.

I'm starting to wonder if war is really a good thing since all I see around me are shootings on the television and planes in aerobatic displays. It's all just glorification of war.

BAN TELEVISIONS AND PROTEST!!!

by man in laois Tue May 22, 2007 09:33

I am one of the many who enjoys an airshow, more so if it's free... ! As the Galway one is, it is entertaining and non threatning, unless of course you have a bad hangover.

The larger Airshows around the world do indeed have civilian aircraft at them and in all sizes, which unfortunately Galway doesn't have the capability to accomodate.

So you have combat aircraft attending the show because of their manoeuvrability and size. I find it thrilling to see the Red Arrows with the skill and discipline of those pilots - is simply amazing. Not that you would ever get me up there as I'm not keen on flying or even heights - that does not though stop me from admiring those that actively partake.

I do though happen to be aware of aircraft from a different angle as I happened to have assisted in the design of several aircraft. My first ever was working on Concorde for several years and then on the design of several of the Airbus aircraft.

So for me it is not so much their war capacity but the engineering and technical systems contained within them that I admire. That's without looking at the spin off's that have gone into mainstream life such as Teflon and other coatings - just remember that when your frying your rasher!

by Maurice Thu May 31, 2007 13:44

----and the Bush Blair bloodhound-poodle axis
Please see the event as the consummate level of aviation skill.

I saw the Thunderbirds at Edwards AFB, and a week later at Nellis AFB last October 2006.
They are the 'summa cum laude' and 'nulli secundus-(second to none).
You have to see and hear it to believe it!!!It was hours into the Nellis Open day-when some air force women presented me with ear plugs. Get some!
A few of the gals and guys of Thunderbirds flight crew did mention to me, that they were going to Ireland.

We welcome them.

NB--Ireland and it's diapora-(as in other 'metiere')globally-has given a rich contribution to aviation and aeronautics.
I do hope to address this at a later stage

see link infra
qv-THE MOST OVERLOOKED HERO OF WW2
THE AIR ACE-PADDY FINUCANE---
as they 'couldn't have a Paddy(literally or otherwise) as the best Spitfire pilot; he was 'demoted' to second-and never mentioned seemingly again
Simply wouldn't do old boy, tut-tut!
Curious???
Maybe the anglo-centric view might change in another few decades???
It doen't help by having similarly complicit inane media outlets here i

by Marcus Aurelius Tue Jun 05, 2007 02:14

Anyone having the least doubt about what an airshow can become should check up on the Paris Airshow in the current issue of 'The Phoenix,' where some armaments of an interesting nature are set out on display along with the pop-corn for the kids. The dreadful naivety of the organisers in Galway will only vanish when they find out who is really running their show. It would never occur to them that the American Embassy boy-ohs are laughing their heads off at the daft Paddies. Not for the first time. I mean, who is now running Shannon Airport? Certainly not the Irish government and definitely not Aer Rianta! War-ready aircraft from the USAF have already docked there.

by a!0 Tue Jun 05, 2007 13:10

"War Ready aircraft".That means bombed up, munitioned up, and ready to fly at or intercept a distinctive target.
THAT is DEFFO a violation of international neutrality law.As any "combat aircraft" landing in a neutral country must not carry live munitions,or stopping to refuel before engaging a hostile target. All arming and firing systems must be inoparative or unmanned
So please do tell us
[1]where wnd when?
[2] what type of aircraft?
[3] Have you any pics and how do you know that they are war ready?
[4]How did you find this out?

Or is this just more flowery rehotic,some folks are so fond of here??

by Biker Sat Jun 09, 2007 09:40

I suggest a boycott of the sponsors of the Galway "Airshow" (Deathshow) and lobbying those public bodies which are supporting the event, including the local City Council, Failte Ireland, Bus Eireann and the Shannon Airport Authority.

The Warwick, Salthill, Waterfront , Menlo Park and Galway Bay hotels should be blacked as well as the likes of Supermacs. Here are some of the other sponsors of this homage to death exhibition:-

Malachy Lenihan
Seapoint Leisure Centre
Grattan House Holiday Apartments
Leisureland
Supermac's Salthill
The Galleon Restaurant
Lohan's Bar and Restaurant
Griffin's Bakery
Merchant's Frozen Foods
Castlemahon Food Products
Bank of Ireland Salthill
AIB Salthill
Mocha Beans
Mullholland Bookmakers
Treasure Chest
Klassy Kids
Mazars Tierney
Galway Real Estate
Kelly Office Supplies
KPMG
Maureen McKeown Estate Agents
Menlo Park Hotel
Atlantiquaria
Schooner's On The Bay
Eugene Kelly
Salthill Pharmacy
Davitt Photo Centre
Eileen O'Brien
Salthill Post Office

Others who have been given "special thanks" on the Galway Deathshow website are:-

Galway City Council, Supt. Mick Curley, Sgt. Seamus Philips and all the Salthill Gardaí, Galway Fire Service, Irish Defence Forces, Pat Lavelle of Galway Lifeboats, Tom Casserly of Civil Defence, Ambulance Service, Coast Guard, Brigadier General Ralph James, GOC of the Irish Air Corps, Hertz Car Rentals Ireland, American Embassy, British Embassy, Dunnes Stores, Joyces Supermarkets, Claddagh Minerals, Coca Cola

Let these people know how you feel and tell the commercial ones that you're boycotting them.

by man in laois Sat Jun 09, 2007 10:54

Indeed Biker what an amazing amount of free publicity you have given to those businesses, how very generous and commendable!

My thanks to you for now I shall know exactly where to visit during my visit to the Galway Airshow.

by Slacker - Not an organisation, but I side with Irish Aviators Sat Jun 09, 2007 17:28

I've been writing and re-writing this post for the past hour and a half, so I apologise if it makes no sense. For the record, I beleive in the capitalist system, that police forces and military forces are (despite the stereotypes) composed of humans, that aviation cannot be easily divided into military and civilian, and that all aviation (yes, even the fighter planes) has the potential to add good to humanity and the Planet Earth.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As a Galwegian who is both employed by and an enthusiast of aviation, I'm saddened every year by the vitriol and hatred shown amongst yourselves (the anti-airshow lobby). I remember coming over to talk with an activist one year, and I walked away depressed at the lack of specifics.

The fact is, it is the military which push the development of aviation in this day and age. The plane that became the Boeing 747 was originally a contender in a competition for the USAF for a super-large transporter (which was won by the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy- at this point I would recommend looking up wikipedia for aircraft definitions). The Antonov-124 Ruslan, which saved so many lives due to the carnivorous amount of cargo it can carry, was the Russian equivelent, transporting nuclear missiles on occasion. Most of the electronics which kept the last aircraft you flew on in the air would have had somewhere in its development a military input.

I'd like to relay an experience I had at the last airshow. As part of my job, I had to ask a man to move. He was irate about it and, looking at the Irish Air Corps Alouette A.3, he called it "A giant waste of money". I didn't want to rile him further, so I held my tongue. After all, he has his right to his opinion. My first thought was about the hundreds who owed their lives to helicopters as such.

As for the appearance of the Eurofighter, it is an honour to see it. The technology that keeps that aircraft aloft will be seen in the aircraft your sons or daughters will fly in in twenty odd years time. It's the same process which you see in the car industry. First the technology is put to supercars, then it trickles down to the family saloon,

The Thunderbirds are a rare treat, and after the Airshow we most probably will not see them on these shores for a very long time. (I know this is a complete anethisis to some of ye, so I'm sorry if it offends) To wear the Thunderbird flash is considered a great honour by the Thunderbird team members, and they work hard to make sure they are amongst the best at what they do. Yes, they fly for the USAF, but that's no reason to discount they show they put on. If there was a live weapons firing display, that would be in my view wrong, but these men and women put great trust in their support staff and take great risks to refine their skills in flying their aircraft.

I am against the war in Iraq. I beleive Bush and his ilk should be removed from office as soon as possible. But I support the Salthill airshow. I ask that you respect those of different opinions to yourself. There are at least 50 airshows in the UK, some consisting entirely of military traffic. Ireland has but one chance to celebrate aviation in its entirety. Allow those who celebrate, to celebrate.

by GateKeeper Sat Jun 09, 2007 18:05

The so called "Thunderbirds" might be a rare treat to you but in some parts of the world I can tell you they are not seen in such light. I would like to see your point of view if these planes were operating to liberate the people of Galway.

I see your point that military endeavors push technology further. Many medical advances came from battle field surgeons but still that's no excuse for the reign of terror seen in the Middle East.

You can rationalise all you like but I would rather keep my eyes open.

by Biker Sat Jun 09, 2007 20:24

I have no objection to a civil airshow as long as it is not a front for military sales and hardware.

I object to the presence of foreign military aircraft there, particularly aircraft from countries which are involved in wars of occupation around the globe or which are selling military aircraft or weapons of torture to countries who have no regard for human rights or the UN charters.

If you must play airplanes do so with civilian planes, but when you bring in foreign air forces I as an Irish citizen will use my democratic right to protest (and I won't be swayed by specious lectures about yanks guaranteeing our freedom - the day I depend on them for freedom I'd rather die).

Galway here I come!

by wageslave Sun Jun 10, 2007 14:13

If the proper investment in research was made directly, such advances would still come.

Why credit the military for scientific ingenuity. It is the work of gifted scientists . All the military do is get a disproportionate budget, waste half of it and then subvert and steal genuine scientific work to make things that will kill people.

4 out of 6 scientists in the US are employed by the military. Naturally they make advances which are trumpetted by the military.

This does NOT justify military activity (which actually impedes scientific advancement through secrecy and waste) and is a very poor argument.

by Marcus Aurelius Sun Jun 10, 2007 19:09

Perhaps you might let us know what two Wart-hog tank-busters were doing on the apron at Shannon? Or was I mistaken, flying over them? They carried no markings and were painted a neutral grey all over. I doubt very much that they were armed. But that is not the point. Salthill Airshow will offer us the Thunderbird aircraft, which, no doubt like the Wart-hogs, can be armed very quickly. And there is a genuine concern that Salthill can be made to turn, in time, into another exhibition for people who like to, eh, watch things perform before they buy 'em. How long before the tail wags the dog, and the innocent organisers of Salthill's little Sunday outing - Sunday is supposed to be the Lord's Day, by the way - find the festival effectively 'run' by the people who like to show off big fighter aircraft? And is no one out there going to protest that Sunday, when most of us observe some sort of religious form, is now a day upon which terrifying fighting machines are flown over the heads of our children as a form of sport for the mob? I am surprised that the country's clergy and religious leaders do not have something to say in all of this.

by A10 Mon Jun 11, 2007 00:33

Yes ,fighter aircraft are generally painted grey all over.It is a neutral color with camoflage properties.And yes they do carry markings,just you didnt see them,as you are not supposed to,they are called Lo Viz markings.The days of brightly colord Flying circus markings went out with Von Richtofens flying circus.
Indeed A10 they could be armed up very quickly,when they arrive at a base in Europe or whereever that has all the munitions or whatnot. If there was a base in the EU anymore that had an operational squadron of A10s in the first place!!!
Not in Shannon.Contray to all the anti American propaganda that it is a warport .

The Thunderbirds..No..They are stripped out of firing control systems,weaponary,etc.As it is unnecessary and dangerous for an aerobatic aircraft.
Put it like this.A rally car may look like a street car from the shape,but it does not have 90% of the junk a street car has. You are not going to win any rally with a normal street car,nor are you going to do extreme aerobatic manouvers that a formation squadron does with a fully bombed and armed up combat aircraft.It would take at least 4 weeks to change a T bird F16 back to a combat aircraft.
So to say that they can be converted instantly back is ludicrious and stupid nonsense.

Hmm,I can see many Saudi sheiks,third world tin pot dictators,and many other potential buyers showing up at what amounts to a country fair barnstorming session to consider purchasing their national defence requirements!!They can order a fully equipped and armed up one down to their own countries to view it's capabilities and Uncle Sam would be only too glad to fly one down for a full demo.You dont buy combat aircraft like a new car .Well maybe here like a new push bike.

As for you using the religious tack.Lay off and dont be so bigoted to belive that we all still labour and kowtow under that dictatorial organisation that oppressed the Irish people for centuries!!

by Coilín Fri Jun 22, 2007 19:13 086 060 3818

There's no such thing as a free lunch, and no such thing as a free air show either. Further to Biker's post above, I note that sponsors of the Salthill Air Show are listed here: http://www.salthillairshow.com/sponsors.html

Read on for contact details for the four main sponsors:

*** Galway City Council

Please complain to Galway City Council:
Customer Services Section via email: [email protected] or telephone: 091 536597.
City Hall Address: Galway City Council, City Hall, College Road, Galway

Also, please complain to members of Galway City Council.

There are 15 elected members who are elected from three local electoral areas:
North and East Ward - 7 Councillors
West Ward - 4 Councillors
South Ward - 4 Councillors

Their names and contact details can be found here:
http://www.galwaycity.ie/AllServices/YourCouncil/Counci...Ward/
http://www.galwaycity.ie/AllServices/YourCouncil/Counci...Ward/
http://www.galwaycity.ie/AllServices/YourCouncil/Counci...Ward/

Naturally, it is probably best to complaiin to those members who have been elected in the ward where you yourself live.

*** Fáilte Ireland

Please complain to Fáilte Ireland:
Phone: 00 353 (0) 91 537700
Fax: 00 353 (0) 91 537733
Email: [email protected]
Address: Fáilte Ireland West Region, Áras Fáilte, Forster Street, Galway.

I note that Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, was established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act, 2003. So it would seem appropriate to complain to your local TD, and to the department and minister for tourism as well:

The Tourism and Corporate Services Divisions are located in the Kildare Street building and the Arts and Sports Divisions in the South Frederick Street Building with the exception of the following units which have now decentralised to Fossa, Killarney.
...
Tourism Development Unit
Minister's Constituency Office

So the most relevant contact details would seem to be as follows:
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism,
23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2 and
Fossa, Killarney, Co Kerry

Nó as Gaeilge mar a leanas:
An Roinn Ealaíon, Spoirt agus Turasoireachta, 23 Sraid Chill Dara, Baile Atha Cliath 2 agus
Fossa, Cill Áirne, Co Chiarraí

Phone and Fax:
Telephone............................(+353 1) 631 3800
Telephone (Fossa)..............(+353 64) 27300
Lo-Call Telephone Service
(if calling outside the (01) area)...............1890 383 000
(if calling from outside 06 area)...............1890 27 3000
Fax Numbers Dublin
Kildare Street..................................(+353 1) 661 1201

** Minister's Constituency Office............(+353 64) 27310 **
** Office of the Minister.................(+353 1) 631 3802 **

*** One of the sponsors has the unfortunate name of "Midnight Promotions". Sounds like a fly-by-night operation to me!

Midnight Promotions provides a contact form here: http://www.midnightpromotions.net/htmlsite/feedback.asp...tep=1
I have just used this to make a complaint and issue a polite invitation to agree to boycott military displays in future.

Further contact details for Midnight Promotions are as follows:
Tel: 091-568674 Fax: 091-568554 or Email: [email protected]

*** Galway Airport

Galway Airport also provides an onliine contact form, here:
http://www.galwayairport.com/contact.asp
Again, I have just used it to complain.

Further contact details are provided, as follows:
Galway Airport, Carnmore, Co. Galway, Ireland | Tel: +353 91 755569 | Fax: +353 91 752876 | Email: [email protected]

Best,
Coilin.

by fbb995 Fri Jun 22, 2007 19:57

No one has asked the collection of naysayers who would stop the to come to the air show - just stay away. Yes, you do have the right to protest but that is not including hazarding aircraft from where ever they come, or the folks (like me) who wish to watch and enjoy the real professionals of the USAF showing off their stuff. As far as I am aware the demo aircraft are not F-16s. Remember when you are demonstrating that if the nasties from the Mid-East, Afghanistan and other hostiles get as far as Ireland, these guys and gals are going to be protecting your butts. Like they did in the 1960s when all the folks in Ireland could do was hide in their funk holes and count their beads. While our buddies and we were in harms way. I wonder if we should not have let the opposition into Ireland ,would have sorted a few muppets out!!! Just get a life! Fox Bravo 995.

by Biker Fri Jun 22, 2007 20:09

Apart from the archaic language employed by the last poster the idea that peaceful protesters can in someway be a threat to a killing machine like an F-16 is absurd. Then you go on to talk about the professionalism of the US Airforce. Yes, clinical strikes from 40,000 feet above are very "professional" especially if you don't have to clean up the bloodied corpses of men, women and children below. Galway here we come!

by Feudal castrato Fri Jun 22, 2007 23:23

"these guys and gals are going to be protecting your butts. Like they did in the 1960s "

er..they seemed quite happy to sit back and watch us all have our butts kicked by the nazis until pearl harbour happened.

Also, I seem to remember people being under threat of nuclear destruction (and within a few minutes of it at one point!) for years and years from the US and russia, one of which had more weapons and actually showed they were willing to use them on someones cities.

Lot of military bases still lying about all over the place afterwards, never to leave and bringing peace, love and american hegemony to all.

Keep your protection thanks. Cost is too high for me.

by Pat Swan Sun Jun 24, 2007 12:12

Ireland has a proud history of aviation firsts, and is populated by a large number of aviation enthusiasts. To proclaim the salthill airshow a celebration of killing machines is misleading. Some of the planes being showcased are war machines, true. But in the context of an airshow they are airplanes first, and war machines second. They are works of aeronautical art, supreme examples of human ingenuity and engineering marvels. To protest the airshow itself is small minded and mean. The organisers have worked dilligently over decades to bring these things together and they are to be commended for putting on such a first rate show, time and again. Its just a pity they cant put it on in Baldonell anymore, which deprives them the chance to showcase much of our own Air Corps aviation history.

by Limericklad Sun Jun 24, 2007 23:23

I would just like to say the display today (24/6/07) in Salthill was brilliant from all who took part and i would also like to wish the people injured in the accident the best with there recovery.

by Marcus Aurelius Mon Jun 25, 2007 01:06

Yeh, LimerickLad - great airshow, pity about the injured! What'll it be the next time - a whole 'plane? The whole show is an obscene galmourisation of war and killing. Galway City Council should be ashamed of themselves, as should the organisers. Might they be left with a hefty damages bill? British Ministry of Defence investigating the incident. You're naive, lad.

by A10 Mon Jun 25, 2007 12:07

Great day
,Hope marcus and all the rest of the Anti American crowd had a fine day too doing their thing.
I did predict that the Anti American/Uk crowd would take a mishap like the falling off door and make it into a major issue.Oh well,if it bleeds it leads..Right lads and lassies????

by Sierra Mon Jun 25, 2007 18:22

Spoke to someone in Galway today & I was told it was the escape hatch within the door that fell to the ground, not the door. Explains why it looks so small in the pics.

by blank Mon Jun 25, 2007 19:48

door

by Coilín Mon Jul 02, 2007 11:11

If I were to say that Hitler was a militaristic Nazi tyrant, that would not make me anti-German.
If I were to say that Stalin was a militaristic communist tyrant, that would not make me anti-Russian.
And if I say that George Bush and Dick Cheney are militaristic neoconservative tyrants, that does not make me anti-American.

Agent 10, being a war veteran, may be suffering from persecutory ideation, as signalled by his shyness about revealing his identity and his exaggerated fear of terrorist enemies, but the reality is that nobody in this country hates Americans. On the contrary, it is in part because we love America that we speak out in solidarity with Americans against the current militaristic regime, which is subverting American democracy and persisting in aggressive - not to say futile and catastrophic - military ventures.

Subverting American democracy? Like this:
"If an emergency situation were to be called by the President, NSPD 51 [Bush's National Security Presidential and Homeland Directive (NSPD 51, HSPD 20) enacted on May 9, 2007] would instate martial law under the authority of the White House and the Department of Homeland Security. It would suspend constitutional government under the provisions of Continuity in Government (COG). It would establish extraordinary powers for the president and vice-president."
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6169

Remember how Hitler used the burning of the Reichstag to establish his dictatorship? His pretext was that terrorists were threatening national security, and he used this alleged national emergency to stir the nation into patriotic outrage. How come a law has now been passed to permit Bush and Cheney to do likewise?

Remember, a good friend will speak out when you are about to make a catastrophic mistake.

Best,
Coilin.