JBLM Airshow & Warrior Expo 2016 – US Army Displays

Given Joint Base Lewis McChord is a shared base between the USAF and US Army the latter had a number of helicopters on static display and a Boeing CH-47 Chinook also took flight during the JBLM Airshow & Warrior Expo 2016 (August 27th-28th, 2016). The show was also opened by the US Army Golden Knights parachute display team (a later jump was cancelled on the Saturday due to strong winds blowing across the base, the CH-47 also couldn’t perform its tactical drop demo either due to the winds – not sure if it had cargo or troops onboard?).

US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team Fokker C-31A Troopship

US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team Fokker C-31A Troopship rolling out for take-off

Circling over head – US Army Fokker C-31A Troopship

Gaining altitude – US Army Fokker C-31A Troopship

The US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team jump from their Fokker C-31A Troopship

US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team

US Army Boeing CH-47 Chinook

Apparently there is a US Army Sikorsky UH-60M Blackhawk there somewhere (an RCAF CH-124 Sea King is in the background)!

The lethal US Army Boeing AH-64 Apache gunship

US Army Boeing AH-64 Apache gunship – not the end you want facing you!

GRRRR… Well armed, well armoured and fast, the Apache is a formidable helicopter!

The Apache bite – a 30 mm M230 Chain Gun with 1,200 rounds of ammo

30 mm M230 Chain Gun – The M789 High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP) ammunition cartridges are the primary shells used in the cannon and can penetrate more than 5cm / 2 inch thick Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA)

In addition to the main armament of the 30 mm M230 Chain Gun, the Apache normally carries Hellfire air to surface missiles and rocket pods but can also carry Stinger anti-aircraft missiles

US Army Boeing CH-47 Chinook heavy transport helicopter

Due to the high wind conditions the CH-47 could not complete its tactical supply drop display

The US Army also had plenty of military vehicles, weapons, armoured fighting vehicles and even bomb disposal robots on hand to keep people busy. To be honest I really didn’t have enough time to explore all this properly and see all the aircraft but it was cool to see some unique and diverse army equipment out there!

US Army Oshkosh Defense MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) and IAV Stryker Armoured Fighting Vehicle

US Army IAV Stryker Armoured Fighting Vehicles

From heavy hitters to robots!

The US Army displays were fun to explore and gain some insight into their operational role. In my next post I will share some of the flying highlights from the Saturday.