10-02-2025
Thunderbird 8 visits Beale Air Force Base ahead of June airshow
( — On Friday, Thunderbird 8 of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds visited Beale Air Force base to conduct a site survey ahead of the base's June airshow, according to Beale AFB.
According to the event's website, the 2025 Beale Air and Space Expo on June 7 and 8 will honor the base's '70 years at 70,000 feet' and its legacy of reconnaissance.
The high-flying spy planes of Northern California
Beale AFB is the home of the Cold War-era U-2 spy plane and the 9th Reconnaissance Wing has the only aviators still flying the impressive high-altitude aircraft.
In a video filmed by Sgt. Frederick Brown of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Thunderbird #8 can be seen flying with smoke on and conducting some aerobatic maneuvers.
'The reason for the site survey is it's been quite some time since Beale has had an air show, 2018,' USAF Thunderbird Pilot Major Bryce Turner 'Triple' said. 'If it has been greater than 5 years then we will go out to get the lay of the land, make sure the tarmac is suitable for the F-16 and there is space to park the jets.'
One iconic shot in the video shows Thunderbird 8 taxiing into the hanger as a U-2 Dragonlady is seen landing with the cloud-covered Sutter Buttes in the background.
'My favorite thing about being a Thunderbird pilot is being able to travel all across this great country and meet all the great kids that are looking to do something amazing with their lives and hopefully we can inspire them,' Turner said.
Turner said that in the days leading up to their June performance at Beale, they will make themselves available to meet with the public.
Also after every performance they will be along the crowd line meeting with the public.
Tickets for the Beale Air and Space Expo went on sale Monday.
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