America’s Thunderbirds will once again take to the skies over Great Falls next weekend at the 2022 Flight over the waterfalls at the airport
The air show is July 23-24 and celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Montana Air National Guard and the US Air Force.
The Guard is organizing the event this year, in partnership with Malmstrom Air Force Base, and admission is free.
Air Show Dates; Thunderbirds to perform
Malmstrom hosted an open house event in 2019 and the Thunderbirds were last here in 2017 at the Guard Air Show.
Lt. Col. Cody Smith, logistics readiness squadron commander at the 120th Airlift Wing, said this year, flight events will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the static display ramp will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. there is parking. opens at 8 am
“It’s about our Airmen,” Smith said, and the event will feature areas to see demonstrations of how to change a C-130 tire, security forces operations, a day in the life of a missile and more .
The 120th will have every aircraft the unit has flown in its 75-year history, except the F-89, either flying or as a static display.
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The 120th hosts the air show with a large contingent of Airmen and aircraft deployed and more ready to go this fall, Smith said.
A new component of this year’s event is a STEM Lab area that will feature a variety of science, technology, engineering and math exhibits from 14 vendors. The Guard has partnered with Great Falls Public Schools and STARBASE for the lab.
“We’re really excited about it,” Smith said.
The riders have Great Falls ties; Malmstrom’s open house hours have been revised today [2019]
The show will feature aerial acts and ground performers, including a pyrotechnics act. For this performance, the airfield has been pre-burned to avoid safety issues, Smith said.
To prepare for the event, and as part of the training, the Guard coordinated with other local agencies to conduct a mass casualty exercise in May with a scenario in which a civilian aircraft crashed into a crowd to stretch EMS response and communication systems.
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They will also hold a response drill on July 22 while finalizing preparations for the weekend show, Smith said.
The weekend event will include food and drink vendors, a kid’s zone with bounce houses and other activities, a medical tent and more.
It will be hot and organizers recommend sunscreen, hats and bringing a refillable water bottle as there will be water stations throughout the area.
Smith said attendees should expect a heavy security presence and that bags will be searched and people may be tipped. Refrigerators are not allowed with some exceptions for medicine or baby formula. Detailed information on permitted and prohibited items can be found on the event website.
Organizers also remind attendees that because the event is on federal property, no marijuana of any kind or any weapons are allowed, regardless of carry permits.
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The traffic situation is “less than exemplary,” but everyone involved is doing everything they can to make it work, Smith said.
All traffic exiting the air show will be directed directly onto the interstate toward Ulm and the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office will have a barrier and deputy posted to direct traffic back toward Great Falls.
Smith encouraged attendees to take their time exiting the air show, and organizers ask that everyone not try to exit at the same time when the flight events are taking place.
Tickets are still available for premium seats in the flight line and may be purchased on the event website.
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