Photos: 2016 air show at D-M
- Updated
The Blue Angels are slated to fly the main aerial demonstration for Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s next Open House event in 2018. Prepare with these photos from this year's Thunder and Lightning over Arizona air show.
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds swoop over the airfield as they wrap up two days of flying exhibitions and static displays at the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Two air men walk out the rear ramp of a C-5M Super Galaxy out of Travis Air Force Base just after the huge transport opened its hatches for the public to get a look during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Don Henry, from Buckeye, gets a look at the under carriage of an F-15E Strike Eagle from Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, one of the warbirds on static display during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Don Dudgeon lays down to look up, trying to watch a skydiver from the United State Air Force skydiving team, the Wings of Blue, drifting down almost right over the crowd during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
A P-51 Mustang piloted by Tommy Williams, makes a low high speed pass over the crowd, wrapping up the Heritage Flight at Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Aden Wadsworth, in the arms of his dad Paul, watches an F-22 Raptor give a demonstration of its abilities in the air over the flight line during the last day of Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
A sky diver from the United States Air Force skydiving team, the Wing of Blue, pops his parachute while leaving a trail of pink smoke in his wake during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Kent Pietsch lands one tire of his Intestate Cadet airplane on a truck speeding down a taxi way at about 55 MPH during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
A man uses uses the top hatch to get some photos of the raised nose section of a C-5M Super Galaxy out of Travis Air Force Base, one of the thousands taking advantage of the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds make their run over the crowd with their wings vertical during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The United State Air Force Thunderbirds shoot through the sky under a waxing crescent moon during the grand finale to the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Hundreds of thousands are expected to see the two day air show featuring aircraft, both civilian and military, on the ground and in the skies. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The Desert Rats Warbird Demonstration Team make their opening maneuver as they fly down the flight line during the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
A Wings of Blue United States Air Force Skydiving Team member brings in the U.S. flags during opening ceremonies of Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
A United State Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier is framed by the tail fins of F-22 Raptor as it shows off its ability to hover during the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, offers spectators a chance to get a look at the bomb bay of B-25J from the Commemorative Air Force, Arizona Wing, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
A B1-B from the 28th Bomb Squadron out of Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, Texas, draws a line of spectators wanting to get a look at the flight deck at Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Two members of the Wings Of Blue United States Air Force Skydiving Team plummet face down, connected by a strap as the team performs during Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The crowd fights the sun to get a look at the Wings Of Blue, the United States Air Force Skydiving Team as they perform at Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The crowd lines up, despite the overwhelming sound of its engines, to get a closer look at the F-22 Raptor as it taxis out for a demo flight during the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Four Chinese Nanchang CJ-5/CJ6's of the Desert Rats Warbird Demonstration Team form up to fly by the crowds along the flight line at Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The United State Air Force Thunderbirds rocket over the airfield in tight formation during the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Pilot Kent Pietsch twists his way out to the sky during his stunt performance during the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
A World War II era P-51 Mustang, top, and a modern day F-22 Raptor fly in a Heritage Flight formation during the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The crowd trains their cameras skywards at the United States Air Force Thunderbirds sweep over during the grand finale of the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds swoop over the airfield as they wrap up two days of flying exhibitions and static displays at the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Two air men walk out the rear ramp of a C-5M Super Galaxy out of Travis Air Force Base just after the huge transport opened its hatches for the public to get a look during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Don Henry, from Buckeye, gets a look at the under carriage of an F-15E Strike Eagle from Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, one of the warbirds on static display during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Don Dudgeon lays down to look up, trying to watch a skydiver from the United State Air Force skydiving team, the Wings of Blue, drifting down almost right over the crowd during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
A P-51 Mustang piloted by Tommy Williams, makes a low high speed pass over the crowd, wrapping up the Heritage Flight at Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Aden Wadsworth, in the arms of his dad Paul, watches an F-22 Raptor give a demonstration of its abilities in the air over the flight line during the last day of Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
A sky diver from the United States Air Force skydiving team, the Wing of Blue, pops his parachute while leaving a trail of pink smoke in his wake during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Kent Pietsch lands one tire of his Intestate Cadet airplane on a truck speeding down a taxi way at about 55 MPH during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
A man uses uses the top hatch to get some photos of the raised nose section of a C-5M Super Galaxy out of Travis Air Force Base, one of the thousands taking advantage of the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds make their run over the crowd with their wings vertical during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Sunday, March 13, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The United State Air Force Thunderbirds shoot through the sky under a waxing crescent moon during the grand finale to the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Hundreds of thousands are expected to see the two day air show featuring aircraft, both civilian and military, on the ground and in the skies. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
A Wings of Blue United States Air Force Skydiving Team member brings in the U.S. flags during opening ceremonies of Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, offers spectators a chance to get a look at the bomb bay of B-25J from the Commemorative Air Force, Arizona Wing, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
A B1-B from the 28th Bomb Squadron out of Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, Texas, draws a line of spectators wanting to get a look at the flight deck at Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The crowd fights the sun to get a look at the Wings Of Blue, the United States Air Force Skydiving Team as they perform at Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The crowd lines up, despite the overwhelming sound of its engines, to get a closer look at the F-22 Raptor as it taxis out for a demo flight during the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Four Chinese Nanchang CJ-5/CJ6's of the Desert Rats Warbird Demonstration Team form up to fly by the crowds along the flight line at Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
The crowd trains their cameras skywards at the United States Air Force Thunderbirds sweep over during the grand finale of the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2016 Open House Air Show, Saturday, March 12, 2016, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
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