On March 23 and 24, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base hosted the Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona air show. As always, there was a lot to see and shoot, both on the ground in the static display area, and up in the sky, so.. let’s get to it!

Static displays

After battling the hordes of other air show attendees, parking, and making it through the security line, the first thing to do, before the air show itself started, was checking out the static displays - a collection of active duty, civilian-restored, and boneyard-stored aircraft. Unfortunately, even attending both days, I wasn’t able to capture everything on display (there are, after all, better things to shoot in the air), but here’s a taste of what was on display.

B-17G Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey"

Wings of Blue

First up in the air show were the Wings of Blue parachute demonstration team.

Shockwave Jet Truck

Next up, the show went back to the ground, with Chris Darnell driving the Shockwave jet truck. He also had a second demonstration later in the day, where he raced the Red Bull plane piloted by Kirbly Chambliss, but I’ve gone ahead and grouped all of those together.

Joe "Rifle" Shetterly

Once the airspace was clear again, the next act took off. Joe “Rifle” Shetterly, flying an RV-8

Kent Pietsch

Next up was the first of three demonstrations by Ken Piesch, flying the Jelly Belly Interstate Cadet, doing increasingly impressive sets of stunts.

In the first flight, he intentionally dropped (see first photo) an aileron, and proceeded to wobble his way around the demonstration airspace. Photos, unfortunately, just don’t do the performance justice, so you’ll just have to trust me that it was something to behold.

His next flight, in the early afternoon, was even more impressive, leading off with some acrobatics, and finishing up by landing his plane on the roof of a modified pickup truck.

And then, for his final trick, he flew up to about 2 miles, turned off his engine, and then came back down to bring the plane to a stop in the palm of an officer’s hand. (I apologize, I missed the name/title of this person, if anyone knows, I’ll add it in)

Desert Lightning Team Combat Search & Rescue

Next up was a demonstration of a search and rescue operation to rescue two downed airmen.

The demonstration begins with two Pararescuemen (PJ’s) jumping from a HC-130J Combat King to simulate downed airmen from a jet that was just shot down.

The rescue HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters will need more gas to make it through the rescue so a HC-130J flew in formation with the helicopters to perform in-air refueling while the A-10s fly a protection formation around them.

The A-10’s suppress a threat with two strafing runs

The HH-60 Pave Hawk hoist the PJ’s and downed airmen into the helicopter and all aircraft depart

C-17 Globemaster III

Next up, the C-17 took off for a flyby and demonstration of its flight capabilities.

Desert Rat Warbird Demonstration Team

Flying in next were a set of four Chinese Nanching CJ-6, piloted by the Desert Rats, a 4-person demo team based out of the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport.

WWII Dogfight Over the Pacific

Next up, the SoCal Commemorative Air Force took off in a PBJ/B-25 Mitchell, A6M Zero, and F-6 Hellcat to quickly reenact a bombing run (B-25), fighter attack (Zero Vs B-25), and an air fight (Zero Vs F-6).

Vicky Benzing

Next up in the show was Vicky Benzing, flying a restored 1940 Boeing Stearman.

Red Bull Air Force

Next up was a combined performance by the Red Bull Air Force - pilot Kirby Chambliss flying his Zivko Edge 540, Aaron Fitzgerald flying the Red Bull MBB-BO 105, and the Red Bull Skydiving Team.

Heritage Flight

Next up was the USAF Heritage flight, featuring an F-86 Sabre flown by the USAF Heritage Flight Foundation, the A-10 Demo Team, the F-22 Demo Team, and on Saturday only, the F-35 Demo Team.