Page 42 - World Airshow News Q3 2024

AIRSHOW IN tHE LAND OF tHE mIDNIGHt SuN Report and photography by Audrey Lee

The JBER Arctic

Thunder Open House

I n the land of the midnight sun, Joint-Base capabilities. The PACAF C-17 demo flew
an Anchorage-based Globemaster III,
Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) hosted
their bi-annual Arctic Thunder Open
House on July 20-21. On this northern and executed sharp turns and agile ma-
neuvers, a bizarre sight for such a large
Anchorage air base, where the sun hung aircraft. The PACAF F-16 Viper Demo
in the sky for eighteen hours every day, Team flew a local Alaskan Aggressor from
aerial performers from around the globe Eielson Air Force Base, with iconic black
demonstrated their capabilities, while lo- and white splinter paint. The PACAF F-16
cal squadrons put on their best show to team is based at Misawa AFB in Japan and
share their missions with the public. This almost exclusively performs outside of
Open House was an opportunity to show- the continental United States.
case the mission and capabilities of the “We’re doing shows all over the world,
Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), demonstrate but it’s great getting back to our home
the capabilities of the Joint-Force, and ed- roots and getting a taste of America
ucate the local community. again,” said pilot and team commander
The civilian performers in attendance Capt. Ethan “Bantam” Smith about the
this year included aerobatic performer team’s excitement at returning to the
Melissa Burns, Stephen Christopher and United States for Arctic Thunder. “It’s a
Todd Rudberg of Undaunted Air Shows, fourth-generation fighter…it’s important
and Greg Coyler’s AceMaker T-33. All to show that this thing is still operation-
three civilian performers traveled from al, still capable, and ready to take on any
the Lower 48 to showcase their aerobat- challenge that faces us today.”
ic skills and passion for aviation. Many The F-22 Raptor is one of the air-
Alaskans share that passion, as aircraft are craft types based at JBER, so the airshow
one of the most popular modes of trans- wouldn’t be complete without the Air
portation in the state. Combat Command F-22 Demonstration Top: The USAF Thunderbirds headlined the airshow.
The show featured the USAF Thun- Team flying an Alaskan Raptor. Pilot and Here they perform the Echelon Pass in Review.
derbirds, and a variety of military perfor- team commander Capt. Sam “RaZZ” Lar-
mances dominated the schedule, includ- son commented on what it was like using Above: PACAF F-16 Viper Demo Team pilot and team
ing Pacific Air Forces teams that provided one of these advanced Arctic warfighters. commander Capt. Ethan “Bantam” Smith.
an exclusive look into their missions and “These Alaska jets are upgraded with the

www.airshowmag.com 42 Quarter 3, 2024