Taking a peek behind the JSOH curtain

Published May 8, 2009
By Pacifica Chehy
Capital Flyer staff writer

ANDREWS AFB, Md. -- Andrews Joint Service Open House, the largest air show in the Department of Defense, has thousands of moving parts. Directing the flying operations requires a skill set two Airman from the 89th Airlift Wing use every day in their special airlift missions.

Precision and dedication to detail make Lt. Col. Joseph "Bo" Deane, 1st Airlift Squadron executive officer and special air missions aircraft commander, and Tech. Sgt. Nate Brewer, 99th Airlift Squadron flight engineer, ideal matches for the considerable challenge of air operations during the upcoming Joint Services Open House.

In the 89 AW, meeting "block time," or the VIP's arrival time, is an integral part of providing the wing's renowned SAM FOX tradition of extraordinary professionalism and dedication to perfection. In fact, meeting one's "block time" is considered as important as the flight itself.

Before takeoff, air crews meticulously plan every minute of the VIP's flight - from before, "wheels up" until the last minutes when the party departs the aircraft. It is said in the 89 AW that, "perfection is the standard."

For Colonel Deane and Sergeant Brewer, they are the main men behind the JSOH curtain, ensuring that every minute of every JSOH air performance is seamless to the crowds below.

From high in their perch in the control tower, Colonel Deane and Sergeant Brewer methodically chart the air show's performers - from who needs to start engines, to making sure performers takeoff on time to reviewing landing times - and even planning when the Thunderbirds land and greet the eager crowds waiting below. Because of these Airmen, every minute of JSOH's air stage is planned out in great detail.

In a nutshell, as the air operations coordinators, Colonel Deane and Sergeant Brewer take care of the JSOH performers who fly and parachute during the air show - a task that they see through to from beginning to end.

"We do everything that has to do with the contract negotiations, registration, all Federal Aviation Administration certifications, care, feeding, accommodations, and support before, during, and after the actual show," Colonel Deane said. "The weekly meetings leading up to the show are also part of our duties. Fortunately, the job also entails working with Sergeant Brewer, and he has all the continuity and expertise to make the whole thing go smoothly."

This year marks Sergeant Brewer's third year co-coordinating and organizing air operations for JSOH.

For months, Colonel Deane and Sergeant Brewer have been preparing for this year's event.

"We actually started the JSOH process and getting acts lined up about 11 months ago," Sergeant Brewer said. "We really don't start ramping up until January, when things start happening and falling into place. There's a lot of time and preparation that goes on behind the scenes to prepare for JSOH."

Even with Colonel Deane's and Sergeant Brewer's JSOH expertise, the Airmen said there are still lessons to be learned.

"Other than a flyby, I had no prior experience on this side of preparing for an air show," Colonel Deane said. "The amount of work that goes into planning has been in the biggest surprise. I've learned how planning and continuity are important in the process. You pretty much have to have the wheels in motion and your planning already acted upon way before the International Council of Air Shows Convention in December. If you don't already have some or most of your acts lined up with a tentative commitment before the convention, you are way behind. Fortunately, our overall air show chairman, Lt. Col. [Andrew] Lourake [316 WG director of plans and programs], had all of that planning taken care of."

"JSOH is an incredible way to showcase our base, the aircraft and the performers and various acts," Sergeant Brewer said.

With these Airmen behind the JSOH curtain and at the controls of the air show stage, it is an opportunity to showcase the 89 AW's talents, as well.