COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will soar over the skies of Colorado Springs this week.
The Thunderbirds will be part of the iconic graduation ceremony at the U.S. Air Force Academy Thursday morning and have practice flights scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremony takes place Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Falcon Stadium.
Vice President Kamala Harris will serve as commencement speaker for the ceremony.
The graduation ceremony is open for in-person attendance for ticket-holding members of the public. The ceremony will also be live-streamed online.
Olympian and Colorado native Missy Franklin is scheduled to fly with the Thunderbirds on Wednesday.
Thunderbirds schedule
Tuesday, May 28
- Thunderbirds arrive in Colorado Springs.
- Thunderbirds conduct a survey mission over Air Force Academy from approximately 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. before landing at Peterson Space Force Base.
Wednesday, May 29
- Thunderbirds fly a practice graduation hat toss/run-in flight over Falcon Stadium from approximately 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Thunderbirds conduct airshow practice from approximately 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Falcon Stadium and surrounding parking lots are a restricted area on Wednesday.
Thursday, May 30
- Thunderbirds scheduled for a 30-minute performance above Falcon Stadium during the graduation ceremony from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., just after the hat toss.
Viewing area
The best view of the Thunderbirds' post-graduation flyover will be east of Interstate near the Air Force Academy.
For public safety, drivers are reminded not to stop along Interstate 25 or any roads on the Academy to watch the Thunderbirds.
The Western Museum of Mining will hold a watch party nearby at 225 North Gate Boulevard. Tickets are $5 per vehicle and benefit the museum.
Traffic closures
The FamCamp: All individuals must depart on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m; and on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Road closures include:
- Stadium Boulevard - Pine Dr. to North Gate Blvd.
- Community Center Dr. between E. Douglass Dr. and Stadium Blvd. will be closed.
- Academy Dr. from Lot 6 to Stadium Blvd. will be closed.
- Parade Loop and USAFA Cemetery to Stadium Blvd. will be closed.
- Santa Fe Trail from Tri-intersection Bridge to Parade Loop.
The main hospital and both mental health clinics are are also closed Thursday.
Thunderbirds at Cheyenne Frontier Days
After Thursday's graduation, the Thunderbirds will return to the world's largest outdoor rodeo and Western celebration in late July.
The Thunderbirds demonstration squadron will be the headline act of the Wings Over Warren airshow in Cheyenne in July, a year after its performance and the show were canceled.
The Wyoming airshow, which typically takes place during Cheyenne Frontier Days, is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24.
The 2023 Wings Over Warren airshow was canceled in 2023 after the Thunderbirds canceled their appearance. The Thunderbirds determined in 2023 that performing in Cheyenne carried "too much risk with lack of an approved emergency landing airfield nearby," said F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
Construction at Cheyenne's airport closed its runways for several years, but the airport is now back open.
"We are excited to see Cheyenne, Wyoming, and F.E. Warren Air Force Base on the U.S. Air Force Thunderbird’s schedule for 2024," said a statement from the 90th Missile Wing to 9NEWS.
"We know the community greatly missed the air show this past summer. Now that our local airport is repaired and reopened, we are looking forward to a wonderful 'Wings over Warren' performance!" said the 90th Missile Wing.
In 2021 and 2022, the Thunderbirds flew their Wyoming performance out of Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland.
The Thunderbirds' 2024 show schedule is available here.
Thunderbirds soar across Colorado
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