Tag: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

The U.S. Air Force "Thunderbirds" will headline this year's Milwaukee Air & Water Show on the Milwaukee lakefront. [caption id="attachment_346434" align="alignright" width="300"] The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.[/caption] The Thunderbirds, which last performed in Milwaukee in 2015, will feature six demonstration pilots flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon,  organizers announced Monday. The show will take place July 21 and 22. Two first-time acts will also perform this year: U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet Tactical Demonstration Squadron and P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft. Other performers will include:

• U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team
• U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team
• Pilot Paul Wood, flying the Warbird Heritage Museum Foundation’s A-4D Skyhawk for a jet tactical demonstration
• Wisconsin Air National Guard members, “Milwaukee’s Hometown Air Force,” from the 128th Air Refueling Wing, flying the Boeing KC-135
• Firebirds X-treme Aerobatic Team, featuring Rob Holland and Jack Knutson
• Michael Wiscus from Lucas Oil Airshows performing stunts in the Pitts S-1-11B airplane
• The A-7D Corsair II “Ghostrider” cockpit ground display featuring real helmets and instruments.

Water performers will be announced at a later date. “Our lineup of performers is extraordinary this year,” said Paul Rogers, president of the Milwaukee Air & Water Show. “We have The Thunderbirds headlining the show, two first-time appearances from the U.S. Navy and a host of other exceptional acts.” Wauwatosa-based WaterStone Bank will return as the title sponsor of this year’s show. The company’s sponsorship brought the show back in 2017 after a year-long hiatus. “Through our partnership with the Milwaukee Air & Water Show, we are proud to honor our armed forces and veterans, and show southeastern Wisconsinites the value and commitment that our country’s armed forces provide to keep our residents safe,” said Doug Gordon, president and chief executive officer of WaterStone Bank. The show is free to the public. Tickets for reserved seating are available online.