The United States Air Force Air will celebrate its 75th anniversary during this year’s Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival.
The event, which runs from June 30 to July 4 at Battle Creek Executive Airport, will feature performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demo Team and the Air National Guard Band of the Midwest.
“We’re glad the Thunderbirds are back for what will be a really historic Field of Flight this year,” Battle Creek Field of Flight Media Director Bretten Bailey said in a press release.
It will be the first appearance of the Thunderbirds since 2016. The Thunderbirds were scheduled to fly in Battle Creek in 2020 but the event was canceled because of COVID-19. Performances are slated July 2-4. The Thunderbirds are based at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
Major Kristin “BEO” Wolfe will pilot the newest aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory — the F-35A Lightning II.
“This will be the first time this amazingly versatile aircraft will be seen in Battle Creek,” Bailey said. “It’s fast, it’s agile, it’s loud! You won’t want to miss this showcase of Air Force power.”
The F-35A Demo Team is a part of Air Combat Command and is based at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.
The Air National Guard Band of the Midwest, part of the 182nd Airlift Wing based out of Peoria Air National Guard Base in Illinois, will take the stage July 4. The band performs “an exciting and diverse musical repertoire” while also communicating the message and professionalism of the United States Air Force and Air National Guard, according to the release.
For more information, visit fieldofflight.com or call 269-962-0592.
Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com or 269-501-5661. Follow him on Twitter: G_SteeleBC
