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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 6:04 p.m., Saturday, September 15, 2007

Air Force's Thunderbird show dazzles Waikiki crowd

Advertiser Staff

Occasional rains and dark, cloudy skies weren't able to dampen the spirits of thousands of air show fans who today flocked to the Waikiki area to watch the USAF Thunderbirds Air Combat Command unit program.

The six F-16 Fighting Falcons flying in formation dazzled the crowds with rolls, loops and spins. Air show fans began lining up along area beaches hours before the air show began at 2:30 this afternoon.

John and Kumiko Carlin, who live near Diamond Head, decided to build their day around the event — beginning with breakfast at Ala Moana Center at 7:45 a.m., and then finding a choice location to watch the Aloha Festivals Floral Parade. Following lunch at the Hale Koa Hotel, the two settled onto the hotel beach for the big overhead aerial demonstration — which culminates the eight-day Air Force Week Honolulu celebration honoring the 60th anniversary of the Air Force.

"I'm here to see the Thunderbirds," said the retired Navy submariner. "I just think it's a patriotic thing. It's one of those once- or twice-in-a-lifetime kind of things that you do because it's not everywhere that you're able to see such perfection."