F-16 Fighting Falcons with the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., prior to refueling, July 19, 2012. The Thunderbirds are making their way to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Expo, July 21 to 22. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski)
An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., July 19, 2012. The Thunderbirds are making their way to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Expo, July 21 to 22. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski)
An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., July 19, 2012. The Thunderbirds are making their way to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Expo July 21 to 22. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski)
Two F-16 Fighting Falcons with the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds fly alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., prior to refueling, July 19, 2012. The Thunderbirds are making their way to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Expo, July 21 to 22. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski)
An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds flys alongside a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., July 19, 2012. The Thunderbirds are making their way to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Expo at McChord Field, July 21 to 22. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski)
An F-16 Fighting Falcon with the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., July 19, 2012. The Thunderbirds are making their way to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Expo July 21 to 22. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski)
F-16 Fighting Falcons with the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds perform a 6-ship formation after refueling from a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., July 19, 2012. The Thunderbirds are making their way to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Expo at McChord Field, July 21 to 22. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Zeski)
7/19/2012 - OVER WASHINGTON -- F-16 Fighting Falcons from the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron Thunderbirds get refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., July 19. The Thunderbirds are on their way to the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Air Expo at McChord Field, July 21 to 22.
Millions of people have witnessed the Thunderbirds demonstrations, and in turn, they've seen the pride, professionalism and dedication of hundreds of thousands of Airmen serving at home and abroad.
The event is free and open to the general public. Gates open at 8 a.m., and the flying begins at 11 a.m.
