JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
The Great Texas Airshow is just days away on April 6 and 7 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph and promises to be a thrilling show, showcasing a wide variety of aerial performers and static aircraft displays.
For a list of aerial performers, static displays and more information about The Great Texas Airshow, visit https://www.jbsa.mil/Information/JBSA-AIRSHOW/.
One the highlights of both days is the appearance of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The team is scheduled to perform at 3 p.m. each day.
The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents.
Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The demonstration is a mix of six aircraft performing formation flying and solo routines.
The four-ship Diamond formation showcases the precision and training of U.S. Air Force Pilots, as well as the gracefulness of the F-16. The two solos display the power and maximum capabilities of the mighty F-16 Fighting Falcon, a frontline fighter.
On May 25, 1953, just six years after the U.S. Air Force became its own branch of service, the Thunderbirds were born as the Air Force’s official air demonstration team.
The team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Over the years and with many different aircraft, the Thunderbirds have continued to represent those who deserve the most credit: the hardworking Airmen who serve our country every day.
The officers and enlisted Airmen who make up the Thunderbirds embody professionalism and skill. Eight officers serve as our highly experienced pilots, and four serve in critical roles from medical support to public affairs.
The more than 120 enlisted members represent nearly 30 different career fields and serve as the backbone of our team, ensuring all jets and operations are in top shape at all times.
For more information about the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, visit The Great Texas Airshow webpage at https://www.jbsa.mil/Information/JBSA-AIRSHOW/.
Also performing on April 6 and 7 is the U.S. Air Force Academy Parachute Team, known as the Wings of Blue.
The Wings of Blue have a long standing commitment to personal and organizational excellence as well as a storied history of success. While the airspace that the Wings of Blue operates in is one of the busiest in the world, their drop zone is one of the safest.
The primary mission of the Wings of Blue is to run the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Basic Freefall Parachuting course, known as Airmanship 490 (AM-490). The team serves primarily as jumpmasters and instructors, forging leaders of character through this unique training experience.
The Wings of Blue has both a demonstration team and a competition team.
The demonstration team travels across the country to airshows, sporting events, and other venues to represent the Air Force in precision parachuting.
Similarly, the competition team represents the Air Force by competing with teams from around the country in 6-way speed formations, 4-way relative work, 2-way free fly, and sport accuracy.
For more information about the Wings of Blue, visit The Great Texas Airshow webpage at https://www.jbsa.mil/Information/JBSA-AIRSHOW/.