TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – High-speed jets performing a variety of aerial acrobatics, Soldiers parachuting to Earth from 10,000 feet and 40 aircraft on display.
This was the scene March 30–31 at Travis Air Force Base during the “Thunder Over the Bay” air show. The two-day event featured 17 aerial performances, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Aerial Demonstration Team, the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and numerous static displays.
The theme for the show was Honoring Hometown Heroes.
“We are thankful our country looks to the military as heroes of hope and security,” said Col. Jeff Nelson, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander. “Yet, it’s important for Team Travis not to overlook the heroes in our local community who, like us, work every day to keep us safe.”
The commander said Team Travis would show appreciation for local heroes and the American public with a little bit of “air power.”
“Last year, we saw several events transpire, like the fires in California, and we saw people step up in so many ways to serve something greater than themselves,” said Maj. Imran Khan, 60th Air Mobility Wing air show director. “We wanted to do something to honor them because they are amazing.”
“During the show, the Patriot Jet Team held a memorial for fallen police officers, we had a hometown hero booth where people could learn about the great things those heroes have done, and, on Friday night, we held an event where we gave out 14 American flags to nurses, doctors, teachers, police officers and firefighters,” Khan said. “They don’t always get the recognition they deserve for the amazing work they do and we want them to know we appreciate them.”
The air show, which took about a year to plan, opened each day with a parachute jump by the Golden Knights, followed by a variety of performances including the Patriots Jet Team, Travis aircraft and the Smoke and Thunder Jet Truck. The Thunderbirds closed the show both days to loud cheers from an estimated audience of 100,000 people over the course of the two days.
The event also featured aircraft tours, opportunities to interact with service members, and for the youngest air show fans, a fun zone with bounce houses, inflatable slides and a rock climbing wall.
“We wanted everyone to have a fun time, but safety was our top priority,” Khan said. “We developed a plan for traffic, as well as a plan for 100,000 people to be safe, fed and entertained. I’m proud we were able to keep everyone safe and entertained at the same time.”
Khan also said more than 1,000 people volunteered in a variety of capacities to support the air show.
“We had tremendous support from our Airmen and the local community,” he said. “I’m humbled to see how many people came together for this event. Everyone had an integral part in the air show and without their support we would not have been able to have such a successful show.”
Diego Reed of Vacaville, California, traveled the world with his father, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant, and attended numerous air shows as a result. He said he and his family attend every air show they can, but this year’s air show at Travis was a little extra special.
“We are here to support our daughter’s boyfriend,” he said. “He’s a C-17 Globemaster III pilot in the 21st Airlift Squadron.”
“We had to come out and show our support,” Reed said. “Plus, we just love it. It’s in our blood.”
Reed’s wife of 31 years, Cathy, echoed that sentiment.
“Being here and seeing the precision flying, it’s so impressive and it’s so important that we show appreciation for the military,” she said.
Srilatha Vissa of San Jose, California, also attended the air show, her first, along with nearly a dozen of her family members.
“The military is not a daily part of our lives so it’s nice to come here, see the planes and make it more a part of our lives,” she said. “We also really enjoyed seeing all the performances and touring the displays.”
Many people took to social media to share their thoughts on the show posting pictures and videos.
“We had a great time, thank you to all the ladies and gentlemen who put this together,” commented Facebook user Matthew Mopar Noel, on the Travis Air Show Facebook page. “God bless our military, officers and first responders.”
“It was the best experience of my life,” commented Facebook user Jay Jetter.