MCCONNELL AFB, Kan. -- Eyes up, Wichita!
Team McConnell is gearing up for the Frontiers in Flight Open House and Airshow, scheduled for Aug. 24-25. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are the headline performers and last performed in Wichita 17 years ago.
“We're certain this will be Wichita's most remarkable airshow yet,” said Capt. Matthew Robbins, McConnell air operations director. “We're thrilled to offer the finest airshow to a city built on aviation.”
Aviation heritage is deeply ingrained in the lives of many who live in Wichita, better known as the “Air Capital” for its history in aircraft manufacture, both military and civilian.
“This is the first time the F-35 [F-35A Lightning II] Demonstration Team is going to be here,” said Maj. Ryan Sheive, airshow director. “The A-10 [A10-C Thunderbolt II] Demonstration Team is actually two brothers that grew up in Wichita.”
With the show scheduled in the heat of August, McConnell is dedicating Airmen and resources to provide a safe environment for all that attend.
“We're coordinating to have some of the largest civilian and military aircraft available to provide additional shade,” Robbins said. “Addressing water availability and heat management is paramount.”
Frontiers in Flight aims to raise awareness of Air Force readiness and foster relationships with the local community, while also putting a spotlight on the contributions of McConnell’s Airmen.
“Our motto this year is to educate, inspire and honor,” Sheive said. “We want to educate the community and public on what we do on base. We’re inspiring the next generation because we’re not going to be here forever.”
For the past two years, Sheive and Robbins have worked diligently to plan the ins and outs of the show and have already begun working on the next one.
The confirmed static displays and performers for the airshow are:
Static displays:
Doc B-29 Superfortress
KC-135 Stratotaker
KC-46 Pegasus
C-130 Hercules
A-10 Thunderbolt II
F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-35 Lightning II
B-1 Lancer
B-52 Stratofortress
T-6 Texan
RC-135V/W Rivet Joint
Performers:
Blue Angels
F-35A Demo Team
A-10 Demo Team
Tora! Tora! Tora!
Swamp Fox P-51
F-86 Sabre
Matt Younkin’s BE-18
Bill Stein’s Edge 540
Tom Lorkin’s Mini Jet
Brian Correll’s Pits II
The airshow is free, and open to the general public, each day 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Guests are encouraged to find details on vendors, displays, premium seating and more at https://www.frontiersinflight.com/.