(More photos, details below)
By Troy Turner
MONTGOMERY – Fighter jets, vintage World War II planes, stunt pilots and Miss Alabama with a parachute all filled the skies over Maxwell Air Force Base as organizers said an estimated 200,000 spectators viewed the star-studded Beyond the Horizon Air & Space Show.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstration flight team led the list of attractions, along with the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and several Air Force demonstration teams and displays .
The event took place April 6-7 and was the first major air show at Maxwell since 2017. The show’s success and community participation prompted interest having another show within the next 2-3 years, a base spokesman said.
The Blue Angels started off airshow week by giving teacher Catherine Kenny a hometown hero flight. Kenny, a 26-year educator within the community, helped develop a Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Connections in Education curriculum, which has influenced thousands of students since 2007.
Additionally, the Blue Angels, among other military performers, made special visits throughout the River Region community to inspire the next generation of aviators, the spokesman said.
Among the highlights on the airshow slate was a Saturday tandem jump of Miss Alabama 2023 Brianna Burrell with the Golden Knights.
A variety of static displays also were available for viewing, including a wide array of civilian and military aircraft.
Such shows and aerial demonstrations aren’t just for entertainment, said Air Force Lt. Col. William Russell, director of public affairs for Maxwell.
“The Maxwell Air Force Base Air and Space show gives us an opportunity to showcase U.S. military air capabilities, past and present, to inspire the next generation of aviators and instill pride in the Americans who attend this event,” Russell said. “Additionally, the show is a fun way for us to highlight the installation, while saying thank you to city of Montgomery, River Region and the great state of Alabama for their truly appreciated support for the military.”
The 2024 show was the first time in recent memory that the Blue Angels have performed in Montgomery, said Maxwell spokesman Phil Berube.
The 2017 air show at the base drew a crowd of almost 135,000, he said. “One was planned for 2020, but COVID forced us to cancel.”
Troy Turner is the editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com and can be reached at [email protected].
Other stories of interest:
