Thunderbirds Are on the Coast for Weekend Air Show

If you were in south Mississippi Thursday afternoon, you may have heard the sounds of some jet engines in the air. Expect this noise to only get louder this weekend as the Thunderbirds take over the skies.

It wasn’t a bang, but a roar that announced the F-16 Thunderbirds had arrived on the Gulf Coast ahead of their air show this weekend, performing some basic maneuvers and scoping out the lay of the land. Jason Curtis, a Thunderbirds pilot, says, "Beautiful flying around here, absolutely beautiful, the greenery plus the water is amazing. I’m very much looking forward to the show. It was an absolute thrill flying in."

Curtis says the thrill of flying has stuck with him despite being in over 70 shows with the Thunderbirds. Curtis also says, “Knowing people have taken time out of their day, stood in line, battled the crowd just to see the jets perform, that is a huge honor for us to do that."

The pilots performing in the shows aren’t the only ones traveling with the Thunderbirds. Several potential Thunderbird pilot candidates will be attending the show as well. Pilot hopeful, Matt Kimmel, says his desire to soar with the Air Force actually started at an air show. Kimmel says, "It’s awe inspiring seeing jets fly above you and it’s loud and awesome and as a young kid boy or girl, it’s something to strive for someday."

Despite all the fame and notoriety that comes with the position, the pilots say the real reason to fly is for a much greater cause. Curtis closes, "It’s merely a representation of the much bigger Air Force. We have the pleasure of representing nearly 700,000 airmen deployed across the world and to be able to do that is a great, great honor."

The air show will be held on Saturday and Sunday. Gates open at 9 a.m. and the event is free to the public.