2025 Joint Base Andrews Air Show

Joint Base Andrews was established in 2009 when Andrews Air Force Base merged with a US Naval Air Facility. Many will know JB Andrews—or at least Andrews AFB—as the home of Air Force One. Yep, that Air Force One: the modified Boeing 747 the US president uses.

Actually, the US Air Force 89th Airlift Wing is one of several units that call JB Andrews home. And the 89th Airlift Wing not only operates Air Force One but also a couple other modified Boeing models used for aerial transport of senior US officials and VIP’s.

You can imagine I headed out to the 2025 JB Andrews air show with a sliver of hope on seeing Air Force One. Alas, the big bird didn’t show itself. But I got to see a C-32, a modified Boeing 757, and a C-40, a modified 737, from the 89th Airlift Wing. Along with a host of other cool planes and displays.

How about the Lockheed Martin C-5 Galaxy? Talking about big birds! Or the F/A-18 Super Hornet of the US Navy’s Rhino Team. I would see it again at the 2025 NAS Oceana a week later. They fly an impressive demo for sure.

There was time of some vintage aviation too. Like the Bell Helicopters UH-1 Iroquois for example. Not true vintage ’cause this aircraft is still in service with the 1st Helicopter Squadron operating out of JB Andrews. Did you know the Huey as the UH-1 is more affectionately called, came in to service in the 1950’s and is still in service with the US Air Force until this date?

But the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star up next is truly a vintage jet. This particular airplane belongs to the Ace Maker Aviation team and is no longer in service.

And what about the North American B-25 Mitchel “Panchito” belonging to the Delaware Aviation Museum? Ain’t she pretty. In Europe, we’re used to seeing the Mitchel in cameo green. The sleek silver body of Panchito is something else though.

The cherry on the cake definitely were the US Air Force Thunderbirds. 6 General Dynamics–now Lockheed Martin–F-16’s painted in the most beautiful red, white and blue color scheme. 6 of the US Air Force’s best pilots fly that Viper as close at 18 inches (46cm) apart at speeds up to 500 mph (800 km/h). Absolutely breathtaking! And make sure they don’t surprise you with their sneak pass at 700 mph (1100 km/h).

Did you notice that the paint scheme on Thunderbird 5 is slightly different than the others? Go back to the photo of the Thunderbirds Calypso Pass. The photo were Thunderbirds 5 and 6 seem to be mirrored. Pay close attention to the way the 5 is painted on the side of the Viper of Thunderbird 5. It’s painted upside down because Thunderbird 5 is inverted for most of the show.