TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Skies over Davis-Monthan will be buzzing even more than usual this weekend as the base welcomes the public to Thunder and Lightning over Arizona—the airshow it holds every two years.
The F-35 Demo Team arrived mid-afternoon Thursday is the newest fighter in the Air Force fleet.
The F-35 is designed to be hard to see on radar but it’s going to keep a high profile at this weekend’s air show with Major Melanie "Mach" Kluesner— showing what it can do.
“What I like to tell people is it feels like you are driving a roller coaster. So you've got all this power and speed behind you, but you are fully in control.”
The F-35 is packed with technology to help win the information battle that makes the difference in modern wars.
The F-16 is an older design but super maneuverable—perfect for the Thunderbirds demo team.
As they arrived, they went right into some of their airshow maneuvers to get used to the airspace where they will perform Saturday and Sunday.
Major Jeff “Simmer” Downie says the Thunderbird pilots are too tightly focused to be nervous about flying just a few feet from each other.
As Thunderbird 5, one of the solo pilots, he does flying so extreme the number 5 on his plane is upside down.
“It started 38 years ago, right here at Davis Monthan for the air show that we had there. And that night, some of the crew chiefs thought it'd be funny to turn the five upside down, because I spend most of the show upside down for a lot of the inverted maneuvers, and it's stuck ever since. So cool little piece of Thunderbird history right here at Davis Monthan.”
The Thunderbird mission is more than entertainment, it’s to raise Air Force morale and attract new recruits.
Craig Smith has a preview:
The gates open at 9:00 a.m. each day, and the event is free to the public. It offers an exciting lineup of aerial performances, static displays, and entertainment for all ages.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the show alongside acts like Vicky Benzing, Tom Larkin, Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Shows, Red Bull Fixed-Wing Aircraft, Jon Melby, and Brad Wursten.
General admission is free, but premium seating options, including VIP packages, are available for purchase. Parking is also free for general admission, with VIP parking offered to Platinum ticket holders pending security approval.
Food, drinks, and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at the event, though outside alcohol is prohibited.
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
Prepare for a lengthy walk from the parking lot to the seating area.
Prohibited items include weapons, large bags, drones, pets (except service animals), and outside alcohol.
Performances, static displays, activities, and concessions will remain the same each day.
For premium ticket purchases and additional event details, visit the official 355th Force Support Squadron Facebook page .
FULL LIST OF PROHIBITED ITEMS:
- WEAPONS OF ANY KIND
- Including: pocket knives, pocket tools, scissors, box cutters, nunchucks, Billy clubs, large/heavy chain-linked jewelry or belts, mace/pepper spray, firearms
- ALCOHOL, ILLEGAL DRUGS
- TOYS THAT RESEMBLE FIREARMS
- MARIJUANA/CBD OIL
- Posession and use of marijuana or CBD oil is illegal on all federal installations
- FLAMMABLE ITEMS/FIREWORKS
- LARGE PORTABLE SUN PROTECTION
- Tents, canopies of any kind
- WALKING STICKS
- (not to include medical canes or walkers)
- SPRAY PAINT/SILLY STRING
- WHEELED RECREATIONAL DEVICES
- Golf carts, bicycles, skateboards, heelies, roller skates, rollerblades
- CONTAINERS
- Containers for water must be plastic and empty to get through checkpoints. There will be water stations available for attendees to refill water bottles
- COOKING EQUIPMENT
- Including grills
- COOLERS
- LARGE BAGS
- Rucksacks, backpacks, and large purses
- WALKIE-TALKIES, HAM RADIOS, SCANNERS
- BALLOONS
- DRONES OR RADIO-CONTROLLED AIRCRAFT
- ANIMALS OR PETS
- (service animals permitted in accordance with ADA rules)
- UMBRELLAS IN SEATING AREAS
- Small umbrellas are allowed in pedestrian/walking areas. Please avoid using umbrellas in reserved or VIP seating areas, as this will obstruct the view for other spectators.
