LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The Virginia Air and Space Center's free week got off to a booming start as nearly 1,000 people showed up in the first three hours giving the Hampton Roads community, among others, a chance to meet America's Airmen and learn about the Air Force.
The activities at the center this week are free and focus on Air Force contributions to the joint fight and the protection of the United States.
"The goal for Air Force week is to get the Air Force out there for those people who don't have an interaction with the military community and let them know, we have regular jobs just like them," said Capt. Paul Lopez, 71st Fighter Squadron F-15C pilot. "The only difference is, our job is to do a tactical objective to support the war that's happening overseas or get ourselves ready to deploy."
Visitors to the VASC got a chance to speak to an F-15C Eagle fighter pilot, watch an IMAX film, and see more than 20 other displays including a U-2 display that allowed visitors to sample the same foods astronauts consume in space.
The IMAX movie, called "Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag," showed firsthand how the Air Force uses different assets like crew chiefs, maintainers and mechanics to get a fighter jet airborne and to ease the mind of the pilot, said Captain Lopez.
Mary Mara, a school teacher from Boston, came to the Hampton Roads area with her family and used the internet to get information on the VASC. Seeing all the extra activities was an added bonus for her.
"I like the interactiveness of it," said Mrs. Mara. "There are things that are hands on for my 4-year-old son; I work with young children, so I think that's really neat. I think it really gives them an idea of what actual structures look like and what kind of equipment is used in the Air Force, so it makes it even more real to them."
Jonathan Shumaker, 10, was excited to see all the displays at the VASC that came about because of Hampton Roads Air Force Week. He enjoyed eating the astronaut food, touching and taking pictures with the astronaut suit, as well as wearing the tactical gear and playing with a radio, thermal imaging and range finder provided by the 1st Fighter Wing Security Force's.
The Virginia Air and Space Center Expo will be open and free to the public through April 23 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.