Air Force Thunderbirds perform during The Great Texas Airshow on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The Thunderbirds perform for audiences around the world. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multirole fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon. (Ismael Ortega/U.S. Air Force)
More than 180,000 people packed onto Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force Base in Texas on Saturday and Sunday to see historic and present-day military aircraft take to the sky for The Great Texas Airshow.
Despite gray skies and a little rain, crowds were able to see hours of flying, including performances from the Air Force Thunderbirds, a team of elite pilots who demonstrate the capabilities of the F-16 “Fighting Falcon” fighter jet.
An F-35A “Lightning II” fighter jet on display at The Great Texas Airshow at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force Base in Texas. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)
The show also included static displays of aircraft, tours inside a C-130 Hercules military transport airplane and the chance to handle the gear used by Air Force special warfare troops. The other service branches also brought their own vehicles and aircraft to display, including an M1 Abrams battle tank.
More than 3,000 military children and students from local schools got a preview of the air show performances Friday.
Jeremy Matthews, the 10-year-old son of a Navy retiree, asks questions about Air Force special warfare equipment at The Great Texas Airshow on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force Base. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)
A P-51 Mustang and an F-35A Lightning II fly together as part of a heritage flight during The Great Texas Airshow, Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. (Ismael Ortega/U.S. Air Force)
Giana Adonay, 7, dressed in a flight suit for The Great Texas Airshow on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force Base. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)
Isaac Gidcumb, whose father serves in the Air Force, received a special airplane from Air Force recruiters as he celebrated his 6th birthday at The Great Texas Airshow at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force Base. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)
Thunderbirds perform during The Great Texas Airshow on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. (Ismael Ortega/ U.S. Air Force photo)
Visitors check out the MRZR Diesel “Razor” ultra-light turbo combat vehicle used by Air Force special warfare members at The Great Texas Airshow on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Air Force Base. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)
