Blue Angels, Stunt Pilots, Para-Commandos To Dominate Skies Over Tampa Bay March 26-27

TAMPA, FL — Following a four-year break, bombers, stealth jets and stunt planes will once again dominate the skies over Tampa Bay March 26-27 for the Tampa Bay AirFest.

The popular air festival, which attracts more than 150,000 spectators, was put on hold in 2018 due to Department of Defense budget cuts followed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, the event will return in time to honor the 75th anniversary of the U.S. Force in 2022.

It will feature the precision 140-member U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 flying fleet, consisting of active-duty sailors and Marines; aerial stunt planes; the debut of the new KC-Pegasus refueling aircraft; demonstrations of the F-22 Raptor, the latest stealth tactical fighter; the F-22 Demo Team; U.S. Special Operations Command's premier parachute demonstration team, the Para-Commandos; the C-17 Demo Team; and a B-2 flyby.

MacDill Air Force Base sits in with F-22 Demo Team Cmder. Maj. Joshua "Cabo" Gunderson ahead of Tampa Bay AirFest 2022.

Stunt pilots on hand for the festival will include third-generation pilot Matt Younkin. He is the son of the legendary Bobby Younkin, considered one of the greatest airshow pilots of all time.

He will be joined by Scott "Scooter" Yoak in his restored 1945 Mustang; Jim Tobul flying his "Korean War Hero" F4U-4 Corsair; Michael Goulian, one of North America's most-decorated aerobatic pilots; second-generation air show performer Kevin Coleman; and retired Air Force fighter pilot Jerry "Jive" Kerby.

Also on hand for the festivities will be Gen. Mike Minihan, the four-star general who heads the Air Force Mobility Command at MacDill Air Force Base.

There will be displays of military and civilian aircraft including an A-10C Thunderbolt II; an F-16 Fighting Falcon; the U.S. Air Force's C-37A/B; the C-5M Super Galaxy, the largest aircraft in the Air Force's inventory; the KC-135 Stratotanker; which carries high-ranking government and Department of Defense officials; the B-1B Lancer, the Air Force's largest bomber; along with helicopters and the Budweiser Clydesdales.

There will be food and drinks available at the airfest.

Admission and parking are free. There will be a limited amount of premium seating available.

The schedule of flight times will be released closer to the event.

Click here.