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Tinker Air Show Banner

Welcome to the 2023 Tinker Air Show!

Welcome to home of the award-winning Tinker Air Show! After four long years, we're back and can't wait to amaze you! Headlining this year's show are the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, but that's not all! We'll have dozens of military and civilian aerial performers in addition to a wide variety of ground display aircraft. The theme for this year's show is "STEM Takes Flight," highlighting the science, technology, engineering and mathematics that make human flight possible! We're adding performers, ground displays and exhibits all the time, so check back often for the latest updates. You can also get Tinker Air Show updates by following the Tinker Air Force Base social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

AF Connect Download Link QR Code
AF Connect will be the official app for the 2023 Tinker Air Show. Download today on your favorite app store!
Link to AF Connect on Apple App StoreLink to AF Connect on Google Play

 

Info - Everything you need to know

Wondering what you'll see? Here's a list of performers scheduled to fly at the Tinker Air Show!

>>Scheduled to appear. Photos shown here may differ from the aircraft that arrive at the Tinker Air Show.<<

Scheduled to appear:

U.S. Navy Blue Angels in formation

U.S. Navy Blue Angels

•Learn more about this aircraft
•U.S. Navy Blue Angels

F-35 Demo Team flying

F-35A Demo Team

•Learn more about this aircraft
•F-35A Demo Team

C-17 releasing flares in flight

C-17 Globemaster III (Multiple Demonstrations)

•Learn more about this aircraft

Scheduled Performances Include:
C-17 Capability Demo
Altus AFB KC-135/C-17 Low Altitude Refueling Demo

E-3 Aircraft in flight

E-3 Sentry AWACS

•Learn more about this aircraft
•552nd Air Control Wing

E-6 Mercury in flight

U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury

•Learn more about this aircraft
•Strategic Communications Wing 1

KC-135 aircraft landing at Tinker AFB

KC-135 Stratotanker

•Learn more about this aircraft
•507th Air Refueling Wing

Wings of Blue Jumper parachute open

Wings of Blue

•Learn more about this performer

Aircraft flying in front of fireball

Tora Tora Tora - World War II Reenactment

•Learn more about this performer

Red Tail P-51 on ground

Red Tail P-51

•Learn more about this performer

Jelly Belly Aircraft performing barrel roll with smoke

Kent Pietsch's Jelly Belly Interstate Cadet

•Learn more about this performer

Blue Angels' Fat Albert in flight

U.S. Navy Blue Angels' Fat Albert (C-130J Super Hercules)

•Learn more about this aircraft
•U.S. Navy Blue Angels

F-35 and F-5 in heritage flight

Heritage Flight with F-35A & F-5

•Learn more about this performance

KC-135 refueling C-17

Altus AFB KC-135 Low-Level Refueling Demonstration

•Altus Air Force Base

Matt Younkin Twin Beech 18 in flight

Matt Younkin's Twin Beech 18

•Learn more about this performer

Adam Baker Extra 330 in flight

Adam Baker's Extra 330

•Learn more about this performer

Greg Colyer T-33 in flight

Greg Colyer's T-33A Shooting Star

•Learn more about this performer

Get up close and personal with your favorite aircraft & meet the men and women who fly them!

>>Scheduled to appear. Photos shown here may differ from what arrives at the Tinker Air Show.<<

Scheduled to appear:

F-35 Demo Team flying

F-35A Demo Team

Learn more about this aircraft
F-35A Demo Team

F-22A Raptor in flight

F-22A Raptor

Learn more about this aircraft


E-3 aircraft in hangar in front of American Flag

E-3 Sentry AWACS

Learn more about this aircraft
552nd Air Control Wing

E-6B Mercury aircraft landing

U.S. Navy E-6B Mercury

•Learn more about this aircraft
•Strategic Communications Wing 1

B-1B aircraft on ground

B-1B Lancer

Learn more about this aircraft
7th Bomb Wing - Dyess AFB, TX
28th Bomb Wing - Ellsworth AFB, SD

B-2 Spirit taxiing

B-2 Spirit

Learn more about this aircraft
•509th Bomb Wing - Whiteman AFB, MO

B-52H aircraft on ground

B-52H Stratofortress

Learn more about this aircraft
2nd Bomb Wing - Barksdale AFB, LA
5th Bomb Wing - Minot AFB, ND

KC-46A Aircraft landing

KC-46A Pegasus

Learn more about this aircraft

KC-135 aircraft landing at Tinker AFB

KC-135 Stratotanker

•Learn more about this aircraft
•507th Air Refueling Wing

E-9A Widget in flight

E-9A Widget

Learn more about this aircraft
•53rd Weapons Evaluation Test Group - Tyndall AFB, FL

MC-12W at Will Rogers Air National Guard

MC-12W Liberty

Learn more about this aircraft
•137th Special Operations Wing - Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, OK

T-38 Talons in flight

T-38 Talon

Learn more about this aircraft
•71st Flying Training Wing - Vance AFB, OK

XQ-58A Kratos in flight

XQ-58A Valkyrie

Learn more about this aircraft
•Air Force Research Laboratory

EA-18G Growler landing

EA-18G Growler

Learn more about this aircraft

Rise Above Theater: Red Tail Film

CAF Rise Above: Red Tail Squadron Movie

Learn more about this exhibit

Women Airforce Service Pilots standing next to aircraft

CAF Rise Above: Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) Movie

Learn more about this exhibit

Woman standing on biplane

Gigi Coleman Brooms

•Learn more about this performer

Civil Air Patrol

(Photo Not Available at this time)

FAA Flight Check

(Photo Not Available at this time)

Customs and Border Protection

(Photo Not Available at this time)

Experimental Aircraft Association

(Photo Not Available at this time)

Spartan Aviation - Piper Archer

(Photo Not Available at this time)

Oklahoma State University - Piper 180

(Photo Not Available at this time)

University of Oklahoma

(Photo Not Available at this time)

Tinker Air Show Schedule

Sat., July 1 & Sun., July 2


>>Please note, this schedule is subject to change without notice.<<

8 a.m.: Gates Open
8 a.m.: Ground Displays, Exhibits and Vendors Open
9 a.m.: STEM City Hangar Open
9 a.m.: (SUNDAY ONLY) Ft. Sill's 77th Army Band performs at air show gates
10 a.m.: Gigi Coleman Brooms Performance at STEM City
10:30 a.m.: National Anthem & Invocation
10:35 a.m.: (SATURDAY ONLY) Senior Leader Greeting and Enlistment Ceremony at Show Center
11 a.m.: Wings of Blue Parachute Jump and Tinker Installation Commander Welcome
11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Aerial Performances
3 p.m.: U.S. Navy Blue Angels
4 p.m.: STEM City Closed
5 p.m.: Gates Closed

People watching robot competition

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is the heart of aviation, and it’s crucial that the next generation be skilled in these fields. Such is the importance of STEM that it’s the theme of the Tinker Air Show: “STEM Takes Flight.” A wide variety of exhibits will be available in the STEM CITY hangar at the northwestern end of the air show grounds; filled with dozens of fun activities for all ages. Visitors can explore robotics, drone technology and even learn about the technology that Tinker employs on a daily basis to deliver airpower for America. STEM CITY is a free activity put on by local community groups; schools; and aeronautic/aviation companies.


Tinker Air Force Base: Civilian career opportunities available on Tinker AFB will be showcased. Displays include a variety of aircraft maintenance capabilities, parts, and a simple engine that helps the nation’s Warfighters keep our nation safe.

Woman standing on biplane
Gigi Coleman Brooms: Great-niece of legendary pilot Bessie Coleman, the first female of African American and Native American heritage to earn her international pilots license, will be inspiring and educating air show attendees as she honors her trailblazing relative through her one-woman show!

Northrup Grumman: Participants will create interactive circuit boards utilizing battery operated snap circuit kits to create movement and lights on a circuit board.

Oklahoma State University: Participants will learn basic engineering, electronics and circuitry concepts by using building components with circuits to assemble electronic circuits on a simple “rows-and-columns” base grid. Participant will also have the opportunity to assembly and fly airplanes. Educational giveaways will be available.

Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission: Aero education experts and pilots will help visitors build balsa wood airplanes while learning the Bernoulli principals of flight; labeling the parts of the plane that create the four forces of flight; lift, thrust, drag, and weight.

Spirit Wind: Visitors will construct their own windmill and discover how and why a windmill produces lift. Explore and experiment with the exciting concepts of solar energy.

Tulsa Air & Space Museum: Stomp rocket machines will let students test different types of rocket constructions and learn why some rocket designs are more successful than others.

Justin Lewis Micro Jet on Display: Since its conception in 1971, the “World’s Smallest Jet” has been thrilling airshow audiences all over the world. Using today’s advanced technology, the FLS Microjet features equipment that even James Bond couldn’t imagine.

Pratt & Whitney: F-35s take flight with Pratt & Whitney. Come see a 1/4 scale F135 engine up close and learn about how these engines power freedom. Then, try your own hand at powering a paper F-35 by creating “thrust” with balloons.

STARBASE: Participants will drive/program the Sphero BOLT on a course. BOLT is Sphero’s most advanced round coding robotic ball to date, providing even more ways to express inventive ideas and experience the power of programming.

OU Sooner Flight Academy: Participants will experience throwing an aerobatic foam plane, see a demonstration on levitating a beach ball displaying Bernoulli’s Principal. Giveaways will include pencils and printed paper airplanes.

Mid-Del Technology Center/Rose State College: Participants will bowl with our Sphero Drones or spell in the air with Tello Drones in our interactive and fun drone adventure. A Flight Simulator will be on hand for children to fly simulations. Paper plane activities will be available as well.

CareerTech STEM: CareerTech STEM will provide hands on activities where students will be challenged to problem solve and use the design process to create and test a project following given criteria.

CareerTech Counseling Division (CCD): The CCD booth will have Lego bricks allowing visitors to use their imagination to create something from their minds eye. They will also talk about free career assessments for PreK to adults in Oklahoma.

Boeing: Participants will be involved in activities such as: Lego robot programming, folding paper plane with guides, frisbees, building wooden planes, activity sheets, 3D printer and photo frames.

Drone Works: Participants will program drones to successfully fly through obstacles. This is a CareerTech TSA competition available to students in Oklahoma.

First Robotics: Students will use problem solving skills to drive a robot through a course to attempt to complete a specific objective.
>>Please note, items listed on map are approximate and are subject to change without notice.<<
Tinker Air Show Map

>>>PLEASE NOTE, INTERSTATE 40 IS UNDERGOING MAJOR CONSTRUCTION AT THIS TIME. THE OFFRAMPS SERVING DOUGLAS ST. ARE EXPECTED TO BE DEMOLISHED BEFORE THE TINKER AIR SHOW BEGINS. Please keep this in mind when making your travel plans.<<<

* This map has clickable links to navigate you to your gate of choice. Please note, information on this page is subject to change.
Tinker Air Show Gate Map (Current as of June 14, 2023) (PDF)​

Tinker Air Show Gate Map Graphic

Google Maps list of Tinker Air Show Gates  |  Directions to Bldg. 9001 East  |  Directions to Bldg. 9001 West  |  Directions to Liberator Gate  |  Directions to Lancer Gate  |  Directions to Hruskocy Gate

As you approach Tinker Air Force Base from Interstate 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 old entrance gates. On the east side of the base, the Hruskocy and Lancer Gates will be open for public entry into parking lots north and east of Bldg. 3001. The Liberator Gate is reserved for rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.) and passenger drop off/pickup. See the above map for details.

DoD ID Card Holder Entrances: During the Tinker Air Show, the Tinker, Vance (Sooner Rd.) and Gott Gates will only be open to DoD ID Card holders, just as they normally are the rest of the year. DoD ID Card holders wishing to attend the air show should enter through one of these gates and park in the designated parking areas on the north side of the base so that the east and south entrances can be kept as open as possible.

Guests with wheelchairs, strollers or folding 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.

Visiting an air show has many of the same security requirements as going through security at an airport. If you have a question about whether an item not mentioned here is allowed at the Tinker Air Show, please reach out via our "Contact Us" page. Please note, this list is not all-inclusive and is subject to change.

 

 

PROHIBITED ITEMS

To expedite the security screening process, please bring only essential items.

The following items will not be permitted on the flight line and are subject to confiscation:

  • Illegal drugs / Controlled substances (ex. Marijuana, CBD, THC, Heroin, etc.). This restriction includes any medical marijuana products
  • Weapons (regardless of permit) including firearms, knives, replica or toy weapons (including pocket knives and multi-tools are subject to removal)
  • Coolers (exception: baby food/medication/small size 10x7x7 inches)
  • Outside Alcohol
  • Recreational Vehicles
  • Ammunition or any form of explosives
  • This is a non-smoking airshow: to include eCigs/vape pens
  • Spark producing devices (example: lighters, matches, etc.)
  • Pets (except service animals assisting those with disabilities)
  • Tents, portable or temporary awnings
  • Large lawn chairs (exceptions: small folding camping chairs)
  • Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades
  • Wagons (Strollers and folding wagons where transporting children is the primary purpose are permitted. People with strollers/folding wagons are asked to use the Hruskocy Gate as loading/unloading these items on shuttle buses can cause delays for others.)
  • Mace, pepper spray, and personal tasers/stun guns
  • Laser pointers
  • Digital scanners
  • Walkie Talkies/HAM Radios
  • 3D Scanning Cameras
  • Glass containers
  • Hydration Packs/Backpacks
  • Grills or fireworks
  • Excessive storage items such as briefcases, duffel bags and backpacks. Permitted items must be smaller than 10x10x10 (inches); (exceptions: diaper bags, small purses, small camera cases and fanny packs)
  • Drones, kites, balloons
     
 

PERMITTED ITEMS

All permitted items will be subject to inspection prior to admission. It is highly recommended to minimize the number and size of permitted items to reduce and expedite security screening time into the air show.

  • Sunscreen (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
  • Ear protection (earplugs and over-the-ear) (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
  • Sealed water bottles/reusable water bottles (no cases)
  • Sealed ice packs (no loose ice permitted)
  • Fanny packs and purses (will be subject to search)
  • Cell phones, cameras and camcorders
  • Folding chairs and camping chairs (Large lawn chairs not permitted)
  • Pre-packaged and/or sealed snack food
  • Diaper bags (will be subject to search)
  • Baby food/formula/
  • Medications/valid prescriptions
  • Strollers (folding wagons where transporting children is the primary purpose are permitted. People bringing these items are asked to enter through the Hruskocy Gate as bringing these items on the shuttle buses can cause delays for others)
  • Umbrellas (handheld)
  • Wheelchairs
  • Blankets

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Info