Air Force
GalleryTampa Bay AirFest brings Thunderbirds, vintage aircraft to skies over MacDill Air Force Base
By
Tampa Bay Times April 1, 2024
Sharon Kennedy Wynne and Luis Santana
Tampa Bay Times April 1, 2024
The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds perform during Tampa Bay AirFest at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. The Thunderbirds headlined Tampa Bay AirFest to showcase the pride, precision and professionalism of nearly 700,000 total force airmen across the globe. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)
TAMPA, Fla. (Tribune News Service) — The Tampa Bay AirFest returned to fill the skies over Tampa with performances by the Thunderbirds, vintage aircraft and military planes that aviation fans welcomed to MacDill Air Force Base on Friday and Saturday.
The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds perform during Tampa Bay AirFest at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)
For the first time, the event was held on Friday and Saturday, leaving Sunday for Easter celebrations. As usual, the free event drew big crowds to marvel at the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and other aerial performers, while on the ground there were tours of both historic and modern aircraft.
The United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds prepare to perform at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)
Organizers expected the event to draw even more people than usual since it will be several years before another AirFest flies over Tampa because of construction taking place soon. The base is expanding its hangars for the new KC-46 Pegasus tanker aircraft coming to MacDill, so there won’t be another AirFest until 2027 at the earliest.
Tampa Bay AirFest guests tour static aircraft displays at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. Tampa Bay AirFest featured a variety of aerial performances and static aircraft displays aimed at inspiring the next generation of military aviators. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)
The headliners were the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, founded in 1953, who fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon and perform a combination of formation and solo maneuvers. During precision formation flights, the aircraft wingtips can be as close as 4 feet apart while performing loops, inverted rolls and high-performance turns.
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The United States Air Force Thunderbirds perform during Tampa Bay Airfest at MacDill Air Force Base. (Luis Santana, Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
Spectators are seen during Tampa Bay Airfest at MacDill Air Force Base, Friday, March 29, 2024. (Luis Santana, Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
U.S. Air Force Maj. Lindsay “MAD” Johnson, A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team commander and pilot, left, and a P-51 Mustang perform a heritage flight during Tampa Bay AirFest at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)
U.S. Air Force Maj. Lindsay “MAD” Johnson, A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team commander and pilot, performs during Tampa Bay AirFest at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)
An unidentfied crew member of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds is seen before their performance. (Luis Santana, Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
U.S. Special Operations Command Para-Commandos perform during Tampa Bay AirFest at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)
Law enforcement officers from the Tampa Bay area line up in a motorcade at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. Local law enforcement and the 6th Security Forces Squadron ensured the safety of over 175,000 guests during Tampa Bay AirFest. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)
Robert Bouley, left, and Daniel Keel, World War II veterans, hold their caps during the national anthem at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. Bouley and Keel were honored for their contributions to the United States at Tampa Bay AirFest. Boule joined the U.S. Marine Corps on March 3, 1942, and served as a radar operator and heavy AA Gun crewman on the USS Texas during the invasions of North Africa, the Battle of Normandy and the invasion of Southern France. Keel served as a pilot, navigator and bombardier for the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946, and was one of only five Tuskegee Airmen to receive a triple airman rating. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)
O’Neil Ducharme, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, stands for a photo at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. Ducharme was honored at Tampa Bay AirFest for his service during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)
Tampa Bay AirFest guests watch a C-17 Globemaster III from Joint Base Charleston, S.C., perform an aerial display at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)
Crew members stand at attention as the United States Thunderbirds prepare to perform. (Luis Santana, Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
Guests tour the flightline during Tampa Bay AirFest at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)
An F/A-18F Super Hornet with the Rhino Demonstration Team taxis on the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Saturday, March 30, 2024. The F/A-18F Super Hornet Rhino Demonstration Team was a featured performer during Tampa Bay AirFest. (Joshua Hastings/U.S. Air Force)