Thunder and Lightning over Arizona

Joshua McGeeboosts the daughter of his friend, two-year-old Sarai Gasca for a look into the engine exhaust of an F-15E Strike Eagle during the Aerospace & Arizona Days air show at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on Mar. 20, 2010.

Thunder and Lightning over Arizona Davis-Monthan Air Force Base 2014 Open House

  • When: Saturday and Sunday.
    9 a.m. β€” Gates open.
    11 a.m. β€” Aerial demonstrations begin.
    2 p.m. β€” Thunderbirds perform.
    5 p.m. β€” Gates close.
  • Where: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.
  • Parking: Enter through the Craycroft Road gate or the Swan Road gate off East Golf Links Road. Last entry is at 2 p.m. Handicap parking available at Craycroft gate only. Craycroft will be entry-only from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., however, Swan will have two entry lanes and one outbound lane. There is no shuttle service or off-site parking for this year’s open house. On-base parking has been moved closer to attractions.
  • Cost: Admission is free, but canned food donations for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona will be accepted.
  • More:The Davis-Monthan website

Tips

  1. Get there early. Gates open at 9 a.m. both days, with flying demonstrations beginning at 11 a.m. The parking lots will fill starting with spaces closest to the flight line. Expect heavy security when parking on base and before entering the display areas. The public will not be allowed to enter the base after 2 p.m.
  2. Expect to walk. There is no shuttle service. Everyone who attends should expect to walk to the display areas from the parking lots, which are closer to the flight line than they were in 2012.

More air show performers

  • Aerial demonstrations begin at 11 and will include:
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue skydivers.
  • Desert Lightning Team (Davis-Monthan demo team).
  • A-10 and F-16 fighter jets.HH-60 helicopter
  • HC-130 Combat King rescue.
  • EC-130 Compass Call.
  • Customs and Border Patrol vehicle interdiction.
  • Desert Rats Warbirds.
  • B-25 bomber flyby by Disabled American Veterans Flight Team.
  • P-51 fighter flyby.
  • O-2 Skymaster flyby.
  • Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Car.
  • Red Bull Helicopter.
  • Will Allen β€œThe Flying Tenor.”
  • Kent Pietsch Airshows.
  • Wright Flight.
  • Jacquie B Airshows.

What you can bring

  • Service animals (no other animals allowed).
  • Diaper bags for guests with small children.
  • Small women’s purses.
  • Strollers for small children.
  • Cameras or video recorders (carried by hand).
  • Binoculars.
  • Leave home
  • Coolers.
  • Outside alcohol.
  • Backpacks
  • Duffel bags.
  • Large purses.
  • CamelBaks or other backpackwater pouches.
  • Umbrellas.
  • Large camera bags.
  • Any potentially airborne items including balls, balloons and kites.
  • Weapons.
  • Military uniforms worn by nonmilitary members.
  • Gang or motorcycle club affiliated colors or clothing.
  • Folding chairs and lawn chairs.
  • Bicycles.
  • Skateboards.
  • Wagons.

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