Air Force Thunderbirds herald return of JBLM air show and expo. Here are the details
The Thunderbirds are coming back to Pierce County this summer along with the restart of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Airshow & Warrior Expo, the base announced Wednesday.
The U.S. Air Force’s precision flying team headlines the July 15-16 weekend event which is returning to JBLM after a seven-year absence. The last airshow, held generally every four years, was in 2016. The COVID-19 pandemic stalled a planned 2020 return, according to JBLM public information officer Joe Piek.
The all-day event will feature more than 10 aerial civilian and military acts along with ground displays of planes, helicopters and vehicles soldiers and airmen use at JBLM.
The Thunderbirds will perform Saturday and Sunday and practice on Friday, July 14. The public will be able to see the jets from various parts of Pierce County, but the show is centered over JBLM.
The show’s theme is “Warriors Wanted: Explore Your Destiny” and will celebrate 50 years of women in modern military aviation and 30 years of women in combat aviation, JBLM said.
The event is free and open to the general public.
“It’s an open house where we can invite people around the Puget Sound area to come on base and enjoy the Army and Air Force flying acts,” Piek said. “It’s our way to give back to the communities.”
If you go
What: JBLM Airshow & Warrior Expo
Where: McChord Field, JBLM
When: July 15-16
Admission: Free to the general public.
More information: Available in coming months.
This story was originally published March 9, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
