Catch the Thunderbirds in action this Saturday!

Following their traditional flyover at the U.S. Air Force Academy's graduation ceremony on Saturday, April 18, the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" will do a series of flyovers across Colorado. The flyovers are in honor of the front-line workers and responders battling the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Air Force Academy graduation ceremony is set to begin at 11 a.m., lasting anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes. Then, the flyovers across the state will begin around 12:15 p.m. and last roughly an hour.

"The Thunderbirds are thrilled to continue on a tradition of culminating the Air Force Academy graduation and welcoming our newest second lieutenants into our Air Force," said Lt. Col. John Caldwell, Thunderbirds commander and leader. "While the coronavirus pandemic has curtailed many of the celebrations that graduating cadets usually enjoy, we are proud to provide this one defining moment for these young American’s lives as they become officers in the world’s greatest Air Force."

They're expected to fly over Greeley, Windsor, Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont, Boulder, the Denver metro area, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Fort Caron, and Pueblo.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) kindly reminds people that the scenic overlook of the Academy from I-25 is closed until Monday. Drivers are also not allowed to park on the highway to watch the Thunderbirds' flyover.

The Thunderbirds' F-16 Falcons will be flying in a formation of eight.

Kristina Shriver
Director of Our Community Now. When not writing or reading, Kristina likes to dance like no one is watching and enjoys speaking in vague movie references/quotes, which only a select few in her circle truly understand. A huge nerd, she loves attending comic book conventions (in costume, of course!) and engaging in geek-fueled conversations with anyone who is willing to listen to her ramble. She also dedicates her spare time to supporting various mental health organizations.
RELATED ARTICLES