July 9, 2024 |
Photo – F16 Fighting Falcons – Courtesy Britannica
After missing last year’s Cheyenne Frontier Days, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will return to the skies above Wyoming’s capital city for this year’s “Daddy of ‘Em All.”
The F-16 fighter jet aerial demonstration team will perform over the state’s capital city on July 24 as part of the Wings over Warren Airshow prior to the start of that day’s Cheyenne Frontier Days.
The Wednesday flight of the Thunderbirds coincides with “Cheyenne Day,” a Western celebration that is treated much the same as most holidays.
Businesses shut down and the revelry gears up.
The airport at Cheyenne is open and fully functional this year, the first time since 2020.
In 2021 and 2022, the Thunderbirds used the Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland to practice and stage on performance day for the airshow. Last year, one of the F-16 fighter jets conducted an emergency landing at the Loveland airport because of a hydraulic leak. The incident resulted in other F-16s involved in the high-flying air show to land at Denver International Airport rather than landing in Loveland. Last year’s unexpected incident forced the Air Force to cancel the group’s appearance in Cheyenne.
The popular event returns on the fourth Wednesday of July.
The awe-inspiring air show involves six F-16 Fighting Falcons performing precision flight drills over the skies of Cheyenne. The heart-pounding event is free to view from differing parking areas located around the Capital City.
