Following a thrilling first day, the Power in the Pines Open House and Air Show returns tomorrow, Sunday, May 18, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst for its second and final day of aerial spectacles and family-friendly festivities. The biannual event, themed “Joint Warfighters: Honor. Inspire. Innovate,” has already drawn thousands to witness the precision and power of some of the world’s top aerial performers, with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds headlining the show.
Today’s air show kicked off with a high-energy performance by the Thunderbirds, whose F-16 Fighting Falcons dazzled spectators with breathtaking displays of speed, agility, and teamwork. The event also featured the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Wings of Blue Parachute Team, the C-17 West Coast Demo Team, and the Jersey Jerks Airshow Team, alongside a variety of modern and heritage aircraft, including the C-17 Globemaster III, KC-46A Pegasus, and CH-53E Super Stallion.
On-the-ground attractions included static aircraft displays, food vendors, and interactive exhibits.
Sunday’s show promises to deliver the same excitement, with gates opening at 9:00 a.m. and the air show expected to begin around noon, weather permitting. Attendees are advised to arrive early, as gates will close once capacity is reached, and entry may involve a 60- to 90-minute wait due to security checks.
General admission is free, with premium seating and VIP Flight Line Club tickets available for purchase online only. The VIP experience offers catered meals, dedicated restrooms, and optimal viewing areas, enhancing the experience for those seeking a premium vantage point.
The air show features a diverse lineup of performers, including a low-level aerial refueling demonstration with the C-17 and KC-46, a U.S. Marine Corps joint demo with the AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom. Static displays will showcase aircraft like the C-5 Galaxy, the Army’s Black Hawk helicopter, and the Navy’s C-130T Hercules, offering a rare opportunity for the public to explore military equipment up close.
General parking is free, with handicap parking available for those with appropriate tags. The event is cashless, with all vendors accepting credit or debit cards. Visitors can enter through three public gates: the main gate at McGuire Boulevard, the Lang Lois Gate off Route 616, and the Hemingway Gate on Route 68. Shuttle buses will transport attendees from parking areas to the event site.
The Power in the Pines Air Show, which returned in 2023 after a five-year hiatus, is Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst’s largest public event, drawing approximately 150,000 attendees in past years. Organizers aim to make it a biennial tradition, alternating with an air show in Dover, Delaware.
For the latest updates, including traffic information and the full schedule, visitors are encouraged to check the official Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst website (www.jbmdl.jb.mil) or the Power in the Pines Air Show website (www.powerinthepinesairshow.com)
A replay of today’s airshow can be watched below.