Some 100,000 spectators are expected at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base this weekend for the return of Thunder and Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ air show.
This will be the first time the air show is held at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and Aerospace Days, has graced the desert skies about 30 times since its debut in 1960, regularly drawing six-figure crowds.
Performers get in a day's worth of rehearsals before the weekend's Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ at Davis-Manthan Air Force Base, March 24, 2023. Video Kelly Presnell / ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
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.
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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.â€
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 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s 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.
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 one 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 for tickets and more information.
Photos: 2023 Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Air Show preview day

Garrett Lewis puts in a little sympathetic body English while watching Vicky Benzing dive her Stearman in the skies over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023. Friday's show was a practice day, but was open for base personnel and a few select groups.

Thuderbirds two and five perform the mirror maneuver during practice day for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023. The two day show gets serious Saturday morning.

An Air Force F-35 nudges supersonic while making a pass over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base during a dry run of this year's exhibitions for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

The Thunderbirds practice their diamond formation in a morning session as they get ready for the weekend's Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

The Red Bull Edge twists in a stall, one of the performers working out on rehearsal day for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

The Thunderbirds go vertical as the team rehearses their diamond formation in the morning for he next day's Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

A skydiver with the U.S. Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue drifts down past the base tower as the team rehearses for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

The Thunderbirds diamond formation breaks up over the runway at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base as the team works out on the morning before Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

An EA-18 Growler, left, and a World War II ear Grumman Bearcat fly formation in a legacy formation for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow rehearsals at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

Ground crew for Thunderbird One go through the last stages of getting the F-16 Fighting Falcon off the ground for a practice run for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

The Thunderbirds line up as they scream over the runway for a Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow rehearsal at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

T-33 Shooting Stars from Acemaker Aviation fly in formation as they get the lay of the land on rehearsal day for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

Laszlo Repay cleans up the B-25 Mitchell Maid in the Shade, one of the Commemorative Air Force's aircraft on static display for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

The full team for the USAF's Thunderbirds streak high over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, wrapping up the day's rehearsal for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

A Pave Hawk from the 563rd Rescue Group gives a combat search and rescue demonstration, part of the day's rehearsals for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

The Thunderbirds makes a big loop in a patch of clear sky for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow rehearsals at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

A P-51 Mustang, left, flies formation with an F-35 Lightning II during a heritage flight dry run for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.

The Thunderbirds break formation, the rehearsal day finale for Thunder & Lightning Over ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ airshow at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., March 24, 2023.
El Inde ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is a news service of the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ School of Journalism.
El Inde ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ is a news service of the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ School of Journalism.