A modified air show will still take place.
The US Air Force (USAF) Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, will no longer be part of the Wings Over Warren Airshow, due to take place at F.E. Warren Air Force Base (AFB) in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Nevertheless, a modified air show will take place.
Cheyenne Regional Airport Director Tim Barth in fact told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle on Jul. 15, 2020 that at least one of the airplane maintainers who is required to accompany the F-16s that make up the Thunderbirds has tested positive for COVID-19, causing the aerial demonstration team to cancel its participation in the Jul. 22 Wings Over Warren Airshow.
“You can’t send those planes without the mechanics,” Barth said. “But they’ll do a limited show.”
Barth said the free event will go on with other military aircraft (which according to Airshow Stuff are the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II demonstration teams along with B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit flyovers).
In a Jul. 13 news release, the 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs Office responsible for the show said there will be a variety of aerial demonstrations at the show, which will be drive-in style (where everyone must stay with their car) at F.E. Warren AFB and limited to approximately 1,500 vehicles on a first-come, first-served basis. The gate on Roundtop Road will be the only way to access airshow parking, and the gate will open at 7 a.m. and will close at 9:30 a.m., or when capacity is reached, on Jul. 22.
Earlier this year the Thunderbirds along with the US Navy Blue Angels performed a of flyovers across the US to honor healthcare workers who combated COVID-19.
The flyovers are part of a mission dubbed Operation America Strong that was the brainchild of service members.
Photo credit: U.S. Air Force
