The air show and open house at Dover Air Force Base May 21 and 22 will feature a first: thunder and angels.
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will join the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, as co-headliners for the 2022 Thunder Over Dover Air Show and open house.
“Featuring both demonstration squadrons at the same event has never happened at Dover, and is the perfect representation of this event’s theme, ‘Reunite,’ said said Lt. Col. David Caswell, Thunder Over Dover Air Show and Open House director.
Since 1946, the Blue Angels have performed for nearly 500 million fans. The elite group showcases the teamwork and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach.
The Thunderbirds were formed in 1953, just six years after the Air Force became its own branch of service. The group performs around the world to display the precision and professionalism of the U.S. Air Force, showcasing their elite skills and demonstrating the capabilities of the Air Force’s premier fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The show and open house are part of the air base’s celebration of Armed Forces Day.
“We are finalizing our entire lineup of world-class performers and ground displays that will be unmatched by any other event of its kind in the region,” said Caswell.
He encourages visitors to see “the most prominent display of airpower our military has to offer.”
Kent County Tourism Corporation president Pete Bradley expects the air show will draw visitors from throughout the state and region.
“It’s very rare to have the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels at the same event,” said Bradley. “We’re really excited about that.”
MORE ON DOVER TOURISM:From glorious highs to an uncertain future, can NASCAR recapture glory at Dover?
What to know before you go
Other performers/events
Performances by aircraft include the C-5M Super Galaxy, C-17 Demo Team, USMC Harrier, Black Daggers parachute team, B-25 Panchito, Extreme Flight, Rob Holland Airshows, P-51 Mustang, C-47 Skytrain, TBM-3E Avenger, C-123 Thunderpig, and on Saturday only, the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber.
On display will be airplanes including the C-5M Super Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster III, B-25 Mitchell “Miss Hap,” KC-46 Pegasus, T-6A Texan II, T-1 Jayhawk, C-123 Thunderpig, AV-8B Harrier, KC-10 Extender, KC-135 Statotanker, A-10 Warthog, F/A-18 Hornet, F-15E Strike Eagle and Dover AFB Aero Club aircraft, along with helicopters including the CH-53 Sea Stallion and UH-1 Huey.
A car show will be presented by Precision Exotics.
When
Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22, gates open at 9 a.m. As of May 2, the schedule hadn’t been finalized, but updates will be posted on delawareonline.com and the air base’s website dover.af.mil/Thunder-Over-Dover-2022/
Cost
No cost to attend – free admission and free parking, but “premium” paid seating is available starting at $45, with an “adults only” beer garden section. For information, see doverfss.com/airshow
Where to park
Use the Dover Air Force Base main gate, 331 Main Gate Way, Dover, DE, 19902. From the north or south on Route 1, take exit 93 for the Dover AFB main gate.
What can you bring, what’s prohibited?
Items that are allowed and/or encouraged include lawn chairs, hearing protection, sunscreen, a camera, camera bag, strollers, binoculars and comfortable shoes.
Not allowed: glass containers, pets, coolers, larger bags such as suitcases, umbrellas, tents, drones, bicycles, alcohol and illegal drugs.
What if there’s bad weather?
For possible postponements or cancellations, check the air base’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/doverairforcebase
Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com.
