Little Rock Air Force Base is expecting up to 250,000 people at its “Thunder Over the Rock” air show Saturday and Sunday.
Gates will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. Admission is free.
“The air show is a perfect opportunity for the community to see our airmen in action,” said Col. Mike Minihan, 19th Airlift
Wing commander. “They will see the pride, professionalism and precision that make Team Little Rock the home of Combat Airlift.
“This will also be an opportunity for the airmen of Team Little Rock to say ‘thank you’ to the citizens of Arkansas for their gracious support,” Minihan added.
“Thanks to our community partners, no matter where our airmen are from ... we are home at Little Rock Air Force Base.”
Main headliners are the Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying team and the Army Golden Knights parachute team.
Other attractions will include several C-130s, the Super Hornet, Canadian Skyhawks, Otto the Helicopter, Mike Rinker and
“Pink Floyd,” Shockwave Jet Truck, Alabama Boys and “Tora, Tora, Tora” World War II fighter planes and others.
“‘Thunder Over the Rock’ gives us the opportunity to showcase Team Little Rock and our C-130 combat-airlift mission to our central Arkansas neighbors,” said Bob Oldham, 19th Airlift Wing chief of public affairs.
“It’s a great deal, especially for families, because you can’t beat the price – admission and parking are free,” he said.
Local businesses are contributing $50,000 to make the air show possible.
The Thunderbirds began flying in 1953, making them almost as old as the Air Force, which was organized in 1947. The team includes 12 officers and 120 enlisted members.
They perform in 73 air shows a year in 11 F-16s. The Thunder-birds are assigned to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights have been parachuting together for 50 years. They have two 12-member teams that fly in a C-31A
Troop-ship and perform 240 days a year.
The “Tora Tora Tora” re-creation involves several Japanese fighters and bombers simulating the Pearl Harbor attack.
In addition, “Tora” provides smoke, fire and explosions from the pyrotechnics team.
The Alabama Boys are a flying comedy team. Using a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub, this act begins as “farmer” Clem Cleaver climbs up on the announcer’s stand, demanding a flight lesson.
Later in the show, he “steals” the plane and takes off solo, with his whole crew chasing. “Grandpa” shoots off a tire to get him down.
Planes on display will include the A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog, B-52 Stratofortress, F-16 Fighting Falcon and others.
