The United States Air Force Thunderbirds headline Pocono Airshow

[ Story and Photos by Rick Pettine ]

August 20-21, 2021 – Long Pond, PA — Pocono Raceway put on an awesome display of speed this weekend, but this time it was in the air not on the track!  The Great Pocono Raceway Airshow showcased numerous entertainers, including the incredible United States Air Force Thunderbirds, for “kids” of all ages.  

This was the second year Pocono Raceway hosted the airshow, with the inaugural event in 2019 and a pause, like so may other things, in 2020.  Production and operations for the airshow was provided by David Schultz Airshows out of Clearfield, PA.

This weekend’s show was dedicated to the memory of Andy “Trav” Travnicek of the GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team, who tragically died in a crash during practice on Friday at the nearby Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport.  Pocono Raceway announced Saturday morning that “…after much consideration, and with the support of the GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team, this weekend’s airshow events will remain on as originally scheduled for Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22.”   

The Fan Fair and grandstands were full of excited families for the main event on Saturday.  The show’s performers included:

  • Mark Meredith who opened the event in an old-school aerobatic “Super Chippy” plane,
  • David Hall in a bright yellow Navy SNJ-5C from Pensacola, FL,
  • Scott Francis in an ultra-high performance MXS aircraft with incredible maneuverability and reaching speeds over 300 MPH…

…and of course the headlining USAF Thunderbirds demonstrating the heart pounding capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcons!

This is the first time since 1983 when the USAF began using F-16 jets that their routine was changed.  A more streamlined and non-stop performance kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Unfortunately Sunday’s events were rained out and all tickets will be refunded or credited. Put this event on your summer calendar in 2022!

Click on the thumbnails below for a sample of the action:

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