Official site of the USAF Thunderbirds

Heard assumes command of Thunderbirds squadron
Lt. Col. Jason Heard assumed command of the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron from Lt. Col. Christopher Hammond during a change of command ceremony held at the Thunderbird hangar here Jan. 6. Read the entire story here.

Gates open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 20-21
Flying acts from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Statics and vendors available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Air acts and schedule subject to change.

As you approach Tinker Air Force Base from Interstate 40 or I-240, look for signs directing you to the entrance. Parking and shuttles from the parking areas are free. Buses will run continuously on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 8 a.m. An average bus trip will be less than 15 minutes and will deliver passengers to the security checkpoint. All visitors should be prepared for inspection of belongings as you are entering a military installation.

Driving from the west side of the base to the east side will be restricted. 

Public Entry Points/Parking: On the south end of installation, the public will be able to enter the parking area south of Bldg. 9001 (the old General Motors Plant off of SE 74th Street) through the Piazza Gate. On the east side, Hruskocy and Lancer Gates will be open for public entry into parking lots north and east of Bldg. 3001. See the parking map for details.

Authorized personnel can enter through the Tinker, Vance and Gott Gates. Personnel can park at the 72nd Medical Group, Bldg. 1094, and take the free shuttle to the event area. 

Guests with wheelchairs, strollers or wagons are highly encouraged to enter through the Hruskocy or Lancer Gates to mitigate excessive time spent loading/unloading buses.

Drivers should have their licenses available for the gate guards as they approach the gates. Seatbelt use is mandatory on Tinker AFB, so ensure all passengers are buckled up. Use of cell phone while driving a motor vehicle is prohibited on base; however, hands-free devices are permitted. Park vehicles in designated areas and proceed to the gated entryway or shuttle bus stop. Base security forces will send you in the right direction. All visitors will proceed through a security checkpoint either before boarding the shuttle buses or entering the event area.

Shuttles from Bldgs. 1094 and 9001 will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hearing protection
Sunscreen
Comfortable shoes
Water bottle/canteen (free water available)
Binoculars
Handheld camera or camcorder
Camera bags no larger than 12"x12"
Strollers
Folding chairs or stools

All visitors are subject to search by Security Forces at any time on the installation and will NOT be allowed to pass through security with any of the following items:
- Weapons of any kind, including pocket knives, pocket tools, scissors, box cutters, billy clubs, large-heavy chain-link, jewelry or belts, mace and pepper spray
- Firearms of any type
- Toys that resemble firearms
- Fireworks
- Spray paint and silly string
- Glass containers of any kind
- Alcohol
- Illegal drugs
- Bicycles
- Skateboards, heelies, roller skates or roller blades
- Coolers
- Large umbrellas/portable tents
- Backpacks, ruck sacks
- Pets

• USAF Thunderbirds
• Team Tinker (KC-135, E-3 and E-6)
• USAFA Wings of Blue
• B-2 flyby (Saturday only)
• Vietnam Search and Rescue reenactment
• WWII Dogfight between a Japanese Zero and Kate Torpedo bomber
• F-35 Heritage Flight
• P-51 Heritage Flight
• F-18 Legacy Hornet Tactical Demonstration
• Jelly Belly Cadet Aircraft
• DH-115 Vampire
• Matt Younkin's Twin Beech 18 (C-45)
• Lady Liberty A-26
• Adam Baker

Flying acts subject to change.

• BT-13
• B-1
• B-52
• C-17
• KC-135
• KC-10
• E-3
• E-6
• E-7
• H/MC-130J
• E-2C
• T-38
• T-6
• T-1

Static displays subject to change.

• Twin Otter (USAFA jump aircraft)
• Cessna 172 (Civil Air Patrol)
• USAFA Aerobatic Glider
• Various Warbirds (privately owned former military aircraft from the Texas/Oklahoma area)
• Three experimental aircraft
• Security Forces K9 team demonstration
• Booths from Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine recruiters

During the aerial demonstrations, certain buildings and roadways on base will be cleared for safety.

Thunderbirds “hot times”

• May 19, 2:30 to 4 p.m.

• May 20, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

• May 21, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Areas affected during Thunderbird “hot times”

• 72nd OSS/KC-135 PDM/513^th ACG/CAP/Historian: Bldg. 240

• Navy CSCW-1 Complex: Bldgs. 817, 825, 838, 820, 829, 819

• 552nd ACW: Bldgs. 976, 985, 986, 963, 964, 988

• Alert Facility/966th AACS: Bldg. 989

• DLA facilities: Bldgs. 1132, 1140, 1145, 1146

• Tower/Simulator: Bldg. 935 and Tower Sim (Bldg. 935A)

• Hush House: Bldg. 926

• Air Logistics Complex: Bldg. 200, 210, 213, 214

• 72nd ABW/CE Utilities: Bldg. 821, 243, 241

• 72nd SFS: Bldg. 987

• 72nd MSG/LRD: Bldg. 247, 250, 251, 339

• 72nd MSG/SV-MWR: Bldg. 244

• Fire Department: Bldg. 117

• Bldg. 820: east corner only

• 552nd MXG-Bldg 230: no personnel outside Docks 1 and 3

• Romeo ramp: no maintainers/refueling-all spots

• Birdcage: spots A-7, A-8, A-9, A-10, B-7, B-8, B-9

• Tango ramp: T-1, T-2

• Trim pads: J-1, J-2, J-3

• Arnold Street: south of Arnold and east of Avenue B

• 72nd LRS/LGR: Bldg. 290, 997, 995

All other performers “hot times”

• May 19, 2 to 5 p.m.

• May 20, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• May 21, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Areas affected during all other performers “hot times”

• DLA facilities: Bldgs. 1132, 1140, 1145, 1146

• 72nd OSS: Bldg. 935 and Tower Sim (Bldg. 935A)

• Hush House: Bldg. 926