圖文 / Julian Shen
每年北卡羅萊納州的軍事基地會輪序性的舉辦基地開放與航空展，但由於去年的疫情與許多無法控制的因素，這些活動都維持暫停直到今年夏天。
位於卡羅萊納東側的海軍陸戰隊的航空站，一個有著很詩意的名字「櫻桃點（Cheery Point ）」，在七月時宣布將要舉辦航展，這對於已經一年多沒有大型活動的區域來說，莫不是一個相當令人振奮的消息。而在此同時離該基地北方不遠的另外一個海軍航空站也預計在另一個周末舉辦航展。但隨著過去幾個月的疫情狀況變動，大型活動被要求取消或是改期，但是「櫻桃點」這次在承受許多外界壓力的情況下，依然如期開展。
本次航展主秀有著該基地駐紮的各部隊展示，包含了空降突襲，或是新式機種如F-35閃電二型戰機的展示，與今年全面換裝成新式機種的海軍藍天使表演隊，當然也有廣邀各民間的特技飛行表演的單位前來一同共襄盛舉。航展從早上八點開始入場後，十點的祈頌與國歌，接下來相當緊湊的各式表演，六小時的表演讓人看得目不轉睛。入場的民眾除了可以欣賞在天空中的表演外，地面上也有各軍種部隊的代表們向民眾解說各種展示的軍武裝備，且有如嘉年華似的有著許多美食攤位，也有讓小朋友玩樂的區域。
兩天的活動下來，許多民眾都帶著滿意的面容，在舒適的秋初陽光下享受了許久不見的戶外的家庭同樂活動。
Each year one of North Carolina’s military bases hosts a base opening/air show, but due to last year’s epidemic and many uncontrollable factors, these events were put on hold until early this summer.
The Marine Corps Air Station on the east side of the Carolinas, with the poetic name Cherry Point, announced in July that it would be hosting an air show, which was quite exciting news for a region that has not had a major event in over a year. At the same time, another naval air station not far north of the base is also expected to hold an air show on another weekend. However, with the change in the epidemic situation over the past few months, major events have been cancelled or rescheduled, but Cherry Point went ahead with the event despite a lot of outside pressure.
The main show included airborne assaults, new aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II, and the Navy’s Blue Angels, who have completely replaced their aircraft with new ones this year, as well as a wide range of civilian aerobatic units. The airshow started with the entrance at 8:00 a.m., followed by a prayer and national anthem at 10:00 a.m., and then a variety of performances in a very tight schedule. In addition to the performances in the sky, there were also representatives from various military units on the ground to explain the various military equipment on display, and there were many food booths and areas for children to play like a carnival.
After two days of activities, many people were satisfied and enjoyed the outdoor family fun under the comfortable early autumn sunshine that they had not seen for a long time.
Thank you MCAS Cherry Point Air Show , Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
