Page 126 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2019

LEISURE comin’ in hot
The 2019 Thunder Over the Sound: Keesler and Biloxi Air & Space Show, featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, will be held May 4-5 on Keesler Air Force Base and the Biloxi beachfront.
The two-day event will be free and open to the public.
story by 2nd Lt. Jantzen Floate photos courtesy of Keesler Air Force Base
“We’re really excited to bring the Thunderbirds back to the Gulf Coast and are happy to partner with the city of Biloxi
to bring what will hopefully be an outstanding show to one and all,” said Col. Lance Burnett, 81st Training Wing vice commander.
The base gates will be open to the public at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday with the on-base portion of shows, activities
and performances beginning at approximately
8:30 a.m. In the afternoon, the second part of the event will move off base to the beach for air performances over the water, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
Some of the other featured performers include Team
Aeroshell aerial acrobatics team, U.S. Army Special Operation’s Black Daggers parachute demonstration team and a MiG- 17 fighter aircraft. Also, be on the lookout for a few unique military bomber fly-bys on Saturday.
Static displays and ground exhibits will be available to view and interact with on base. These displays include a WC-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft, AH-64 Apache helicopter, F/A-18 fighter and attack jet, MQ-9 Reaper, the Smoke and Thunder Jet Truck, the Air Force Performance Lab and many more.
Aside from aircraft displays, Keesler will have numerous activities for younger children including a kid’s zone with inflatables, obstacle courses and
games.
For kids young and old, there is
a hangar dedicated to all things science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Included in the STEM area will be interactive displays and activities from NASA’s Stennis Space Center, as well as robotics exhibits and numerous military technology displays.
Food trucks and stands will
be positioned throughout the flightline and beach to sell food and drinks to air show attendees. Water will be provided by Keesler Air Force Base at no cost to our guests. Attendees will also be able to purchase souvenirs
and withdraw money from ATMs located on the flightline.
126 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • April 2019
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