Flying high: Thunder and Lightning air show set to astound in Tucson skies | Entertainment

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The Desert Rats fly their CJ-6 trainers in formation during the 2019 Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot pays tribute to the crowd during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona Air Show 2019 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

IIt seems like every time a Tucsonan looks up at the sky, there is something exciting to see.

The first drops of the summer monsoon splash on your face. All types of birds that migrate through southern Arizona on their way to warmer climates. Meteor showers pull over the horizon and give an insight into what lies beyond our place in the universe.

For many Tucsonans, it is the sound of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds moving in formation over the city that turns their eyes to the sky.

The latter only happens about once a year, during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona Air Show and Open House, which this Saturday, November 6, and Sunday, November 7, in and in the skies over Davis-Monthan. will take place at Air Force Base.

According to George Tinseth, the base’s official historian, Davis-Monthan has held aviation exhibitions for the public since 1960, a long tradition.

Spectators crank their necks to watch the air demonstrations during the 2019 Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona Air Show at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Mike Christy, Arizona Daily Star

The show provides an opportunity for both the Air Force and Tucson residents, says Maj. Charles Cole, director of this year’s activities.

“Events like the Davis-Monthan Air Show and Open House are an opportunity for our community to see firsthand the capabilities of the US Air Force, and indeed the entire Department of Defense, and to meet the service members who live and serve in that community Said Cole via email. “We are opening our gates to the public to inspire the next generation of aviators by showing them what the Air Force looks like and to strengthen relationships with our neighbors in southern Arizona.”

More than 100 unique aircraft, static displays and performers will be available for this year’s event, the largest and most diverse selection of aircraft in the history of the Davis-Monthan Air Show, said Cole.

The aircraft will cover the spectrum from “Warbirds” from the time of the Second World War to the ultra-modern F-35 Lightning II fighter of the fifth generation.

Pararescuers fast-rope from an HH-60G Pave Hawk in a combat search and rescue demonstration during the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona Air Show 2019 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Mike Christy, Arizona Daily Star

“We’re excited to show visitors how our country’s air force has evolved over the years,” said Cole.

Performers include famous pilot Kirby Chambliss, an Arizona resident known for his aerobatics, the US Navy parachute team affectionately known as “Leap Frogs,” and “Old Number 30,” a C-47 chosen by several US and British air bases in North operated out of Africa, Sicily and Italy during World War II.

Among the aircraft on display on the ground: the unmanned MQ-9 Reaper, a twin-engine UH-72 Lakota helicopter, and the B-1 Lancer, an Air Force heavy bomber.

Cole said picking a fan favorite isn’t easy.

“While our service members and families in Davis-Monthan may be participating in the A-10 Thunderbolt II and Desert Lightning Team Combat Search and Rescue demonstrations as they are operated by airmen assigned to our base,” said Cole. “It’s hard to deny that the Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s premier aerial demonstration squadron, are so popular. Your services are carried out with the precision and professionalism that embodies the culture of our service. “

Also, he said, “It is a sight to see the red, white and blue of your F-16s criss-crossing the sky at high speed and in close proximity.”

Kent Pietsch touches his Jelly Belly Interstate Cadet on a moving pickup truck during the 2019 Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona Air Show at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

Mike Christy, Arizona Daily Star

Attendees at this year’s air show will be 12-year-old Aleq Maldonado, whose family is from Nogales to see all the planes in action.

Aleq and his family already go to Davis-Monthan once or twice a week. During the pandemic, Aleq took up airplane watching as a hobby, partly because of his visit to the base during the 2019 air show.

Aleq had already developed a keen interest in military aviation through social media platforms like YouTube when they toured the various aircraft that the show featured in 2019.

“On every plane we looked at, he said, ‘This is this type of plane. It was flown in that war, ‘”said Aleq’s mother, Blanca Rico. “We were all amazed.”

From this visit on, Aleq was delighted. Eventually he bought camera equipment and took his family to areas in the Davis-Monthan area to take photos of the A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and A-10 Warthogs. His favorite spot is just south of the base’s main gate on South Wilmot and East Valencia streets.

“If they take off, you can get them right there,” Aleq said.

“My husband and I have three younger daughters,” said Blanca Rico. “We’re really looking forward to Aleq and start screaming our heads off when the jets fly by. We scream: ‘Get the shot!’ We are his cheerleaders. “

Aleq Maldonado got into airplane observation after attending the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona Air Show 2019. His parents take him from Nogales, Arizona, to the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base once or twice a week for photos. His favorite spot is near the south entrance of the base in Valencia and Wilmot.

Courtesy of Blanca Rico

Blanca is so proud of her son’s skills that she created an Instagram account for him, instagram.com/south.westaviation, so he can show off his talents.

“We see the photos he takes and we say ‘wow’,” she said. “I have trouble taking photos of my dogs.”

Aleq looks forward to returning to the air show this weekend, this time with camera in hand.

“A lot of the lineup is planes that I’ve never seen before,” he said. “I’m super stoked.”

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