2002 Caribbean Airshow, San Isidro AB, Dominican Republic
3 November 2002

For the first time ever, the grounds on San Isidro Air Base east of Santo Domingo came to life as the 2002 Caribbean Airshow took place under sunny skies on 3 November 2002.   The people of this island nation were a wonderfully receptive airshow audience as the Lima Lima Flight Team headlined the event for this one day show. 

Starting at 10am, the Fuerza Aérea Dominicana opened the show with a freefall  parachute jump from a pair of CASA 212-400s.   Following the parachute jumping exhibition, the Fuerza Aérea Dominicana continued their flying demonstrations with a 4-ship of T-35 Pilans, a 2-ship formation of CASA 212-400s, and a demonstration of a pair of Robinson R22s and a single Robinson R44.     Many  top named airshow performers from the United States took to the skies starting around 1120L with a captivating Ultralight demonstration by Robert Essell.   Throughout the day, the world seemed to stop for the people of the Dominican Republic as they spent all of their concentration on the festivities in the air.    Fred Cabanas performed twice, as did the All American Firebirds, and Lima Lima.    Sean Carroll also performed in the CJ-6 and Robert Murphy flew his O-2 for the crowd as well. 

One of the most notable performances was that of the Falkner & Essell Wingwalking.   "Hold On" Jon was immediately granted a hero status by all of the attendees as they were shocked by the performance.     

The US Coast Guard provided an HH-65 Dauphin Search and Rescue Demonstration to showcase the capabilities of the aircraft as well as their mission in the Caribbean. 

As the day progressed, over 60,000 poured into the base to see Avalon Airshows with their MiG-15 and F-86 Sabre dogfight.    Jimmy Rossi and Tobe Gooden took to the skies for the only jet performances of the airshow which was the first time a MiG and F-86 had performed on the island.    

The event was concluded by the Lima Lima Flight Team followed by fireworks.    

Static displays included aircraft from the Dominican Republic, France and the United States.    Over 3  dozen aircraft were in attendance at this greatly received event.   Fly-In aircraft included a Robinson R44, a Navajo, and several other aircraft. 

It was noted during the event that the people of the Dominican Republic are a very proud people.   San Isidro Air Base was decked out for the public and to showcase to the world the very best of their country.   Flag draped poles greeted all attendees as they arrived on the road leading to the base and everyone in the Fuerza Aérea Dominicana took great pride in presenting the base and this event to the world in grand fashion.    We were honored to be a part of this event and to showcase the best in aviation to a culture that had never experienced it before. 

Nowhere else, have we ever seen the cultural impact as seen during this show.    

From the Fuerza Aérea Dominicana learning from our company's marshalling techniques to our airboss radio calls, and from the servicing of aircraft to the layout of the static display ramp, the Fuerza Aérea Dominicana showed great interest in learning about how airshows work and got to enjoy the airshow as well.    Interaction with all of the airshow performers,  along with inclusion of their Fuerza Aérea Dominicana in the event, will forever change the island and their culture as this event helped to give hope to thousands on the island that suffer in poverty.    This cultural impact was noticed by all of the performers from the United States as well as our airshow staff. 

Listing of Display Aircraft

We would like to thank Extreme Productions, Hotel Melia, USAF-SOUTHCOM, and all of the countless volunteers, vendors, and transportation folks that helped to make this a fantastic success.   We would also like to thank all of the base personnel for their cooperation as well as interest in making this event one of the world's best.