Quick News Bit

‘Thunder and Lightning’ to strike as Tucson air show soars back

0

Some 100,000 spectators are expected at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base this weekend for the return of Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona air show.

This will be the first time the air show has returned been held at the Tucson base since November 2021. It will be the first without any COVID-19 restrictions. Social distancing is still encouraged, however, and sanitation stations will be available.

The air show, formerly known as Arizona and Aerospace Days, has graced the desert skies about 30 times since its debut in 1960, regularly drawing six-figure crowds.

This year’s event runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, March 25-26. General admission is free. Premium seating tickets cost $55 to $175.

The show will have 22 static displays for guests to walk around and see, and 15 live performances in the air. The performances will once again be highlighted by the Air Force’s premier flying group, the Thunderbirds.

People are also reading…

The group, a set of six F-16 Fighting Falcons, gets their name from a mythological creature of several North American Indigenous cultures. According to the Air Force website, the Thunderbirds perform all over the world to “display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents.”

The F-35 Lightning II Demo Team, A-10 Thunderbolt II Demo Team, Red Bull Skydivers and Fixed Wing Aircraft and Smoke and Thunder Jet Shows also will perform.

What makes this event unique is that it is one of the only times that Tucson’s Davis-Monthan Air Force Base lifts its access restrictions, allowing the general public onto its premises. Those entering the base are not allowed to bring alcohol, marijuana or pets.

Air show Director Capt. Luke Rockwell recommends that guests bring a water bottle, protection from the sun, comfortable shoes and a bank card or cash. Viewing equipment, such as cameras or binoculars, hearing protection, strollers or wagons for children, diaper bags, snacks in non-glass containers and umbrellas for use in walking areas only are also allowed.






A pararescue team from the 563rd Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base bring a downed airman into an HH-60 helicopter during a demonstration on Friday, March 24.




The base is expected to open for inbound traffic at 9 a.m. on both days, but guests can expect delays when entering. The two entrances – at the corner of East Golf Links and South Swan roads and the corner of East Golf Links and South Craycroft roads – will remain open for inbound traffic until 2 p.m.

Rockwell said rideshare services will have access to the event, although there will not be a designated drop-off/pickup area. Guests also can be dropped off and picked up at the entrance to the base and walk to the designated area.

It is about 1 mile to the parking area from the entrance, a third of a mile from the parking area to the static displays and there is roughly 8,000 feet of static display area for people to walk around.

Rockwell says there will be concessions, canopies for shade and ATMs available.

Recruiters from every military branch also will be present for anybody interested in signing up. Rockwell said the air show historically is one of the most successful recruitment events for the area.

Proceeds from the air show will be used to pay the performers and benefit the base’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs including the golf, arts and crafts, bowling, clubs, library and the base community center.

Visit dmfss.com/airshow for tickets and more information.

The Heritage Flight Training Course held at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson runs through Sunday, March 5.

Demonstration pilots are being trained and certified before performing in the upcoming air show season. The Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation “celebrates U.S. air power history and serves as a memorial to those who have served in the U.S. Air Force by providing annual Heritage Flight demonstrations around the world,” their website reads.

Video by Pascal Albright / Arizona Daily Star

Pascal Albright



El Inde Arizona is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.

For all the latest Entertainment News Click Here 

 For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News

Read original article here

Denial of responsibility! NewsBit.us is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.

Leave a comment