Aviation fans swoop on tickets for Aug. 8-9 Thunderbirds shows

A second distribution of a limited number of tickets is being planned.

STAFF REPORT

VIENNA — The 70,000 free tickets allocated for the Air Force Thunderbirds air shows Aug. 8 and 9 at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station are gone.

The tickets were snapped up within about 24 hours after they became available Tuesday morning. The Air Force set a limit of 35,000 spectators per show, said Air Force Reserve Maj. Brent J. Davis, public affairs officer for the 910th Airlift Wing at the base.

There may still be a chance to get tickets, however.

Davis said the Air Force is assuming that people may have ordered more tickets than they will use, and a second distribution of a limited number of tickets is being planned.

He said the date and number of tickets available have not been determined.

Davis advised people still interested in tickets to monitor the air show Web site at Youngstownairshow.com for information.

The Thunderbirds, the Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will make its first visit to the Youngstown Air Reserve Station since 1986. The pilots, all combat veterans, fly F-16 fighter jets in various close formations.

The show also includes performances by the Army Golden Knights parachute team, heritage flights of World War II B-17 bombers and other vintage military planes, as well as many static demonstrations, base officials said.

Col. Karl McGregor is commander of the base and the 910th Airlift Wing stationed there.