Photos: 2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona – D-M Air Show
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, on Nov. 6, 2021. The show featured dozens of static displays of aircraft from WWII to modern day. Performers included the U.S Air Force Thunderbirds, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, the D-M AFB Combat Search and Rescue Team, the A-10 Thunderbolt II Demo Team, plus flights by vintage WWII aircraft and stunts by pilots like Kirby Chambliss.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds pass by the air show command at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show
A boy squints while looking into the sun at the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds break during a maneuver at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds make a formation pass over the crowd at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
Strained necks at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds make a pass at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The afternoon sun glints off U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds during Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
A pair of U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds – one inverted – at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds make a pass at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds go vertical at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds were LOUD at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform aerobatics at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The flight crew of a U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 prep for flight at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
A Thunderbirds pilot waves to the crew while taxiing to takeoff at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day. The show is capped by a thrilling aerobatic display by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
A U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet flies upside down at near-stall speeds at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
An F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilot acknowledges the crowd at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The B-17G "Sentimental Journey" makes a pass over air show staff at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
A pararescue jumper lands to aid a downed pilot during a search and rescue demo at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
An HC-130 Combat King trailing refueling booms leads two HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters during a Combat Search and Rescue demo at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
A C-130 Hercules from Davis-Monthan AFB makes a pass during Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
A pararescueman rescues a downed pilot during a Combat Search and Rescue demo at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
An F-35 Lightning II with afterburner aglow makes a tight turn at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
Lots of hands blocking the afternoon sun at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
An F-35 Lightning II, a P-51 Mustang and an A-10 Thunderbolt II in formation at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
An A-10, P-51 and F-35 in formation framed by the huge tail of a C5M Galaxy at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
A boy aims a Gatling gun on an HH-60 helicopter at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
A future pilot poses for a photo at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
Large U.S Air Force aircraft on display at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
WWII era Hellcat fighter and PBJ-1J Mitchell bomber at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day. The show is capped by a thrilling aerobatic display by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The Lockheed C5M Galaxy cargo plane was big enough to handle any crowd at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
Russ Kozimar talks to people about the Boeing B-17G "Sentimental Journey" from Falcon Field in Mesa during Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
A boy peers at the twin machine guns on the B-17G bomber at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
A 100-year-old former WWII B-17 pilot signed the bomb bay doors on the B-17G "Sentimental Journey" at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
Thanks to large wings there was plenty of shade on the otherwise unforgiving flight line at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show
A man grabs a tiny bit of shade under the refueling boom of a KC-10 tanker at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
Spectators emerge from the huge KC-10 refueling tanker on display at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
Pilot Kirby Chambliss takes his aircraft into a corkscrew at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
People waiting to get a peek inside a KC-135 watch Kirby Chambliss fly at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The crowds were manageable, especially if you had shoulder to sit on at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
Vicky Benzing takes her 1940 Stearman off the deck at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
Kids take their turn in a mine-resistant armored personnel vehicle at Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
An A-10 Thunderbolt II flies cover for two HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters extracting a downed pilot during a demonstration of Davis-Monthan AFB's Combat Search and Rescue Team during Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
2021 Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona
The young and young at heart take a peak at the cramped seat for a ball turret gunner on a WWII-era Boeing B-17G bomber on Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona air show at Davis-Monthan AFB on Nov. 6, 2021. The show features dozens of aircraft flying and on display, from WWII to present day.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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An A-10 Thunderbolt II from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base will be one of five aircraft featured in the Air Force Heritage Flight flyover at Sup…
The Heritage Flight Training Course held at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson runs through Sunday, March 6. Demonstration pilots flying v…