433rd Airlift Wing C-5M Super Galaxy makes appearance at Laredo air show

Mike Marasco, a Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association council member, presents a plaque along with a pilot’s jacket to Lt. Col. John E. Sebesta of the 68th Airlift Squadron instructor pilot, Feb. 16, 2020 at the Stars and Stripes Air Show in Laredo, Texas. Sebesta was named the official 2020 air show marshal. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Iram Carmona)

433rd Airlift Wing C-5M Super Galaxy makes appearance at Laredo air show

2nd Lt. Rohaise Firth-Butterfield, 68th Airlift Squadron student pilot, explains the capabilities of the C-5M Super Galaxy to attendees Feb. 16, 2020 at the Stars and Stripes Air Show in Laredo, Texas. This was the 3rd time the 68th AS attended the airshow as part of the Washington’s Birthday Celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Iram Carmona)

433rd Airlift Wing C-5M Super Galaxy makes appearance at Laredo air show

Reverend James A. Tamayo, First Bishop of Laredo and former 433rd Airlift Wing Chaplain looks out of the C-5M Super Galaxy Feb. 16, 2020 at Laredo, Texas. This was his first time in a C-5M. “To see in Laredo another C-5 visiting our community is great,” said Tomayo. “My prayers have always been with the members of the 4-3-3 and I know the great work that they do.”

433rd Airlift Wing C-5M Super Galaxy makes appearance at Laredo air show

Published Feb. 18, 2020
By Tech. Sgt. Iram Carmona
433rd Airlift Wing

LAREDO, Texas --

The 433rd Airlift Wing’s C-5M Super Galaxy out of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas attended the 22nd annual Stars and Stripes Air Show during the 123rd Washington’s Birthday Celebration Feb. 16 here.

The air show brought in new and returning spectators to come and view up-close different aircraft from various parts of the world and vehicles from the military and from various police departments to include multiple vendors and sponsors.

The C-5M was on display and opened for attendees to look in it and outside of it. Along with getting an up-close look, the aircraft also provided many photo opportunities for new and returning attendees.

“I believe having the C-5M Super Galaxy at this event allows the public to see the aircraft inside and out while also meeting the team,” said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Arthur, 317th Recruiting Squadron Air Force Recruiter.

Before the flight demonstrations began, an opening ceremony was held, where the Washington Birthday Celebration Association council thanked various guests, sponsors, and founders.

Lt. Col. John E. Sebesta, 68th Airlift Squadron pilot, who was this year’s grand marshal, was presented with a plaque and a WBCA honorary leather jacket for his role as the official 2020 Stars and Stripes Air Show Marshal.

In addition to being grand marshal for this year’s airshow, Sebesta was kept busy by participating in several other airshow events; He officiated a re-enlistment for a 433rd AW member, whose hometown is Laredo. He also performed a swearing-in for Air Force recruiters for recruits bound for Air Force Basic Training at Lackland.

“Mike Marasco and the WBCA were awesome hosts, and I can’t think of anything better than to bring a Texas C-5M to the kind folks of Laredo,” said Sebesta.

WBCA Stars & Stripes Air Show is a part of an annual event that commemorates Washington’s Birthday that takes place in Laredo. According to Washington’s Birthday Celebration website, the celebration commemorates a battle for Laredo between Indians and white men that was fought to no avail. The celebration that followed the battle lasted for two days with a reenactment of the Boston Tea party. It was then that the celebration of George Washington’s Birthday was born. Today, the celebration attracts as many as 400,000 attendees annually and leaves a positive economic impact on the community.