Wings Over South Texas 2010 Air Show

Tora!, Tora!, Tora! added to NAS Kingsville ‘Wings Over South Texas’ Air Show line-up
By Jon Gagné, NAS Kingsville Public Affairs

KINGSVILLE, Texas -- Naval Air Station Kingsville has added another breath-taking act to its 2010 ‘Wings Over South Texas’ air show line-up. “Tora, Tora, Tora’, the Commemorative Air Force's recreation of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, was officially added to the air station’s list of performers last week. Designed as a living history lesson, ‘Tora!, Tora!, Tora!’ is intended as a memorial to all the soldiers on both sides who gave their lives for their countries. The ‘Wings Over South Texas’ air show is scheduled for March 27-28.

“We are excited to announce that ‘Tora!, Tora!, Tora!’ is now on board for our 2010 air show,” said NAS Kingsville Commanding Officer Capt. Phil Waddingham. “This adds an exciting and powerful aerial demonstration to our list of performers that already includes the Navy’s Blue Angels, world aerobatic champion Rob Holland, and veteran performers Paul Fiala and Jan Collmer. ‘Tora!, Tora!, Tora!’ adds the ‘wow’ factor that air show enthusiasts are looking for, and we’re thrilled to have them in our line-up.”

‘Tora!, Tora!, Tora!’ came into being in 1972, when six replica Japanese aircraft used in the movie of the same name were donated to the CAF. The CFA’s Gulf Coast Wing requested assignment of the aircraft and soon began developing an act for presentation at air shows. The act debuted at the Galveston Air Show on June 25, 1972. By 1977, Tora had gained national exposure. By 1978, ‘Tora’ began to make international appearances in Canada and Mexico.
In 1991 ‘Tora’ participated extensively in the 50th anniversary commemorations of Pearl Harbor, and in 1992, ‘Tora’ tackled the challenge of sending two replica Zeros to Alaska to participate in the 50th anniversary commemoration of the raid on Dutch Harbor. Throughout the 1990s, ‘Tora’ was in demand at air shows throughout the country and in 2000, ‘Tora’ aircraft and pilots participated in the filming of the movie “Pearl Harbor.”
The motto of the Commemorative Air Force and the ‘Tora’ act is “Lest We Forget." ‘Tora!, Tora!, Tora!’, as other Commemorative Air Force flying history recreations, is not intended to promote nationalism or glorify war. The intent of the Tora group is to help generations of individuals throughout the world understand that war does not discriminate in the pain it causes and that courageous individuals on both sides lose their lives.

Over the years, ‘Tora!, Tora!, Tora!’ has brought both American and Japanese veterans together to celebrate the spirit of cooperation the two nations have enjoyed for more than 50 years. At air shows throughout the country, Japanese veterans living, working, and visiting in the U.S. have had an opportunity to meet with the ‘Tora’ team and join American veterans in a sprit of brotherhood and friendship that only former servicemen can experience.

During the average year, ‘Tora’ participates in 12 to 16 air shows with 8-10 aircraft participating in each show. In addition, each performance includes approximately 61 pyrotechnic effects. The average ‘Tora’ show requires the coordinated effort of a minimum of 20 to 26 individuals both in the air and on the ground.

As the pilots taxi for takeoff, ‘Tora’ ground crew and bomb squad team members can be seen saluting the pilots in the traditional Japanese fashion of a bow. From that moment in the air show, until the final notes of Kate Smith's rendition of "God Bless America" are heard as the smoke and fires from ‘Tora’ finally fade away, the men and women of ‘Tora’ are dedicated to one simple, yet powerful task... the telling of the story... "lest we forget."

More acts will continue to be added to the line-up as the show nears, and NAS Kingsville officials are going all-out to ensure the 2010 event is the “best ever” in South Texas. Admission to the weekend event is free of charge.

For updates on the 2010 show, including performers and static displays, show times, and other information, visit the air show’s official web site at http://www.wingsoversouthtexas.org/wost.