Middle River serves pivotal role in Fleet Week

Martin State Airport, one of Maryland’s aviation crown jewels, and the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum hosted a two-day community open house and festival on June 15 June 16.

The event featured aircraft on display, musical entertainment, souvenirs and local food vendors. Every summer, the highly anticipated Fleet Week is cherished in the Baltimore area, typically highlighted by a weekend of activities offering fun for families and exhibits that highlight Maryland’s rich aviation history.

The Martin State Airport open house and festival also provided special opportunities for the public to see the flyover aircraft and aviators. The flyover program included:

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightening II — flight DemonstrationU.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy- flyoverMaryland Regional Public Safety Helos- aircraft hail from Maryland State Police, Baltimore City Police, Baltimore County Police and Maryland Department of Natural ResourcesMaryland Air National Guard A-10 Thunderbolt II — formation flyoverU.S. Coast Guard MH-60 — search and Rescue DemonstrationNorth American B-25 Mitchell “Panchito” Doolittle — Living History FlyoverSocata TB-30 Epsilon — formation flyoverBeechcraft T-34 Mentor — formation flyover

With ideal weather for the occasion, the 2024 Fleet Week open house and festival at the airport provided the region with unique up-close visits to U.S. military aircraft.

“The highlight for many people was seeing the USMC F-35, especially its landings as it hovered and rotated mid-air,” said GLMMAM spokeswoman Debi Wynn.

“The heartfelt connections for the A-10 aircraft and State Trooper Medevac Helicopter made them hometown heroes’ favorites as the Medevac crew showcased with pride the importance of their life saving unit [as] the A10’s time at Martin State Airport may be coming to a close.”

Event participants of all ages were particularly vocal about the possible loss of the Air National Guard’s flying unit, Wynn added.

The Navy’s Seahawk Helicopter crew enjoyed showing their audience how they would hoist up their rescues into the aircraft. All of the aircraft crews, pilots and ground support participating demonstrated their appreciation, passion and respect for why they serve in the military.

The Glenn L. Martin Museum, supporting the Martin State Airport in the planning and logistics of the event, showcased its passenger airliner and helicopter to long lines of visitors.

“Visitors can learn here Maryland’s connection to aviation goes back a long way. The Wrights may have showed the world how to fly, but Middle River showed how to build airplanes,” said Gustavus McLeod, executive director of the museum.