The U.S. government shutdown has forced the withdrawal of all American military demonstration teams from Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach, organizers announced this week, leaving the annual event without its marquee U.S. military performers as the show opens today.
PacificAirshow2024, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The cancellation affects ten U.S. military acts that were scheduled to perform at the three-day event running Oct. 3-5, including headliner U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-35A Demo Team, and several debut performances. Organizers were notified that U.S. military assets would not be able to participate due to the current government shutdown.
Despite the significant loss of American military participation, Pacific Airshow officials confirmed the event will proceed as scheduled with international military performers and civilian aerobatic pilots. The show had been promoted as featuring the most internationally diverse lineup in its nine-year history, with representation from six countries.
“While this is certainly disappointing news, we are excited to share that Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach will continue as scheduled this Friday through Sunday with an outstanding lineup of world-class domestic and international performances,” organizers stated in an update to ticket holders.
The grounded U.S. military performers include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, F-35A Demo Team, KC-135 Demo Team, C-17 West Coast Demo Team, U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler Legacy Team, U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey Demo, Louisiana Air National Guard F-15s, and U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team. Two teams making their debut at the event, the U.S. Air Force Special Warfare Exhibition Team and the NORAD Interdiction Demo, will also be unable to perform.
The revised lineup retains military demonstration teams from allied nations, including the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and Royal Air Force Falcons Parachute Display Team. These international military acts were unaffected by the U.S. government shutdown.
Civilian performers scheduled to appear include Aaron Fitzgerald flying the Red Bull BO-105 aerobatic helicopter, the historic B-29 “Doc,” Emma McDonald of Australia in an Extra 300L. Additional civilian acts include Torrey Ward flying the Subsonex Microjet, Jeff Boerboon in an Extra 330SC, and Anthony Oshinuga flying a Pitts S-1.
“We’re honored to host such a diverse lineup of world-class pilots, performers and even inventors, who embody the spirit of aviation that brings us all together,” said Kevin Elliott, Pacific Airshow’s Executive Director, in the original lineup announcement. “Whether you’re a lifelong aviation enthusiast or first-time visitor, you will be blown away by what you see.”
Since its launch in 2016, the Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach has featured major military demonstration teams including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Royal Air Force Red Arrows, and Canadian Forces Snowbirds.
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