2021 USAF Thunderbirds Schedule

Find out where your favorite performers will be! Be sure to check schedules for updates as they are always subject to change. Also post year-related performer information, such as music lists.
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RyanS
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2021 USAF Thunderbirds Schedule

Post by RyanS » Tue Dec 10, 2019 11:58 pm

Here is the 2021 airshow schedule for the USAF Thunderbirds!

https://airshowstuff.com/v4/2020/usaf-t ... -released/

2021 US Air Force Thunderbirds Appearance Schedule (as of 4/13/2021)

April 17-18: Cocoa Beach Airshow – Cocoa Beach, Florida

May 1-2: Sound of Speed Airshow and 139AW Open House – St. Joseph, Missouri
May 8-9: Defenders of Liberty Air and Space Show – Barksdale AFB, Louisiana
May 27: USAFA Graduation 2021 Flyover – Colorado Springs, Colorado
May 29-30: Bethpage Airshow at Jones Beach – Wantagh, New York

June 5-6: The Great Tennessee Airshow – Smyrna, Tennessee
June 19-20: OC Air Show – Ocean City, Maryland

July 10-11: Dayton Airshow – Dayton, Ohio
July 17-18: Greater Binghamton Airshow - Binghamton, New York
July 24-25: Milwaukee Air and Water Show – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
July 28: Cheyenne Frontier Days – F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
July 31-August 1: Oregon International Airshow – McMinnville, Oregon

August 7-8: Thunder Over Michigan - Ypsilanti, Michigan
August 18: Thunder Over The Boardwalk Airshow – Atlantic City, New Jersey
August 21-22: The Great Pocono Raceway Airshow - Long Pond, Pennsylvania
August 28-29: New York International Airshow - New Windsor, New York

September 4-6: Cleveland National Air Show – Cleveland, Ohio
September 11-12: Pease Open House – Portsmouth, New Hampshire
September 18-19: National Championship Air Races – Reno, Nevada
September 25-26: California Capital Airshow – Mather, California

October 2-3: Puerto Rican Aerial Extravaganza – San Juan, Puerto Rico
October 9-10: Wings Over Houston Airshow – Houston, Texas
October 16-17: Central Florida Air and Space Show – Sanford, Florida
October 23-24: Los Angeles County Air Show – Lancaster, California
October 30-31: California International Airshow – Salinas, California

November 6-7: Thunder and Lightning over Arizona – Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona

Last edited by RyanS on Wed Apr 21, 2021 12:00 am, edited 7 times in total.
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Post by Adam » Wed Dec 11, 2019 12:10 am

Is it just me, or is that very light? A big gap in May, and an early finish (no Aviation Nation?! I thought the next was due in 2021?). In total, down from 35 venues in 2020 to 25 in 2021. Does anybody know, are they off on tour in October/November? Perhaps making up for their cancelled 2013 tour to the Far East?
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Post by RyanS » Wed Dec 11, 2019 12:17 am

Adam wrote: Wed Dec 11, 2019 12:10 am Is it just me, or is that very light? A big gap in May, and an early finish (no Aviation Nation?! I thought the next was due in 2021?). In total, down from 35 venues in 2020 to 25 in 2021. Does anybody know, are they off on tour in October/November? Perhaps making up for their cancelled 2013 tour to the Far East?
Completely agree, I doubt they are transitioning airframes so soon, so I would guess that they'll be closing their season with an international tour. May might also be an international visit like when they went to Colombia and took an off weekend to help with logistics.

I thought I had heard Aviation Nation would be every other year, but many base shows are every 3 years so maybe it won't be back until 2022? Sure would suck for them to host a show only for the Thunderbirds to be overseas!
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Post by EricP » Wed Dec 11, 2019 12:43 am

I noticed on Instagram that the Thunderbirds 2021 schedule post shows 2 open dates after Houston. Sounds like there will definitely be some additions, just have to wait and see I guess. Hopefully they don’t make Nellis every 3 years!

Also noticed the Blues and Thunderbirds both open the season April 10 vs mid to late March in 2021. The Blues could be due to the Rhino transition, but quite a coincidence that the Thunderbirds are the same weekend as well with no transition.
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Post by Sam » Thu Dec 19, 2019 8:14 pm

According to this article The next Aviation Nation will be in 2022 to mark the 75th anniversary of the USAF.

https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/mili ... s-1893704/

"Though the event is usually held every other year, the event will not be put on in 2021, Jones said, because a special event is planned for 2022 to celebrate the Air Force’s 75th birthday.'
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Post by RyanS » Thu Dec 19, 2019 9:08 pm

Sam wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 8:14 pm According to this article The next Aviation Nation will be in 2022 to mark the 75th anniversary of the USAF.

https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/mili ... s-1893704/

"Though the event is usually held every other year, the event will not be put on in 2021, Jones said, because a special event is planned for 2022 to celebrate the Air Force’s 75th birthday.'
If they're delaying it a year, that sounds like one to plan on!
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Post by Mike_S » Mon Dec 23, 2019 12:03 am

Just a thought regarding the late start to the 2021 season, maybe it’s just optimisim on my part, but I wonder if it is in any way related to the RAAF Centenary in March 2021. Maybe a possible Australia/Far East tour being planned?

I acknowledge it is historically rare for them to start their season with an International tour, but I can’t think of too many better reasons why they would be starting their US season so late?

Well I am hopeful anyway! :D
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Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Sat Dec 05, 2020 1:46 am

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – The commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. Mark D. Kelly, has officially approved a one-year extension for the 2019 – 2020 officers to remain on the United States Air Force Thunderbirds for the 2021 demonstration season.

This decision was made to maintain the team’s continuity and operational readiness to perform world-class demonstrations. This was a difficult decision, but one that was ultimately in the best interest of the Thunderbirds after a majority of the team’s 2020 air show demonstrations were canceled due to the coronavirus.

The following officers have been extended:

Lt. Col. John Caldwell, 2019-2020 Commander and Leader, will continue to fly the No. 1 jet and command the 130-person squadron.

Michael Brewer, 2019-2020 Right Wing Pilot, will transition to the Slot Pilot and fly the No. 4 jet for the 2021 demonstration season.

Michelle Curran, 2019-2020 Solo Pilot, will continue to fly the No. 5 jet as the team’s Lead Solo Pilot.

Jason Markzon, 2019-2020 Advanced Pilot and Narrator, will continue to fly the No. 8 jet and narrate the team’s aerial demonstration during performances.

Lt. Col. (Dr.) Noel Colls, 2019-2020 Flight Surgeon, will continue to serve as Thunderbird 9 and provide medical care for the squadron’s team members and their families.

Maj. Zane Taylor, 2020 Slot Pilot, will transition to Right Wing Pilot and fly the No. 3 jet for the 2021 demonstration season. The position swap between Brewer and Taylor was made to ensure continuity of experience and preserve the team’s future aerial demonstration capabilities and readiness.

Maj. Trevor Aldridge, 2020 Left Wing Pilot, will not continue on the team in 2021 due to unexpected health reasons.

“Trevor has served the Thunderbirds honorably; and we are very appreciative of his hard work and dedication during the 2020 season,” said Lt. Col. John Caldwell, Thunderbirds commander and leader. “Trevor and his family will be sorely missed and supported as he transitions to his next assignment.”

The Thunderbirds public affairs team will make an official announcement once the Left Wing Pilot for the 2021 demonstration season is selected.

Officers currently serving as Thunderbirds 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12 will continue to serve their tour of duty for the 2021 demonstration season.
https://www.newsairshow.com/headlines/2 ... oijdhg99dr
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Post by RyanS » Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:47 pm

Updated the original post with the updated 2021 schedule released today!
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Post by Nick » Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:56 pm

So... defining from what I am overviewing, the LA County Airshow is now the 23rd & 24th? I thought it was 16th & 17th featuring the Blue Angels, bit somewhat puzzled by this, probably still sorting out the schedule? Probably leakage of information, but not confirmed "official" yet? Somewhat Confused here if someone can briefly explain hows that? (Have no knowledge of how the schedules function?)
Last edited by Nick on Tue Dec 08, 2020 4:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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