Bullhead City, AZ Air Show

 Story and Photographs by Jeff Serpa

The Laughlin Bullhead Airshow wrapped up its second air show on April 6th, 2024. This airshow is an exciting event that showcases incredible aerial displays by skilled pilots and impressive aircraft. It is a thrilling experience for aviation enthusiasts to witness some breathtaking maneuvers and demonstrations of precision flying. The airshow also provides an opportunity for attendees to learn more about aviation history, technology, and the skills and dedication of the pilots who perform in the show.

One of the highlights of this year’s air show was a the A-10C Thunderbolt II demonstration team. This highly maneuverable ground attack aircraft has become a staple of military airpower. The Thunderbolt II, affectionately known as the “Warthog”, performed a variety of high-speed passes showcasing its incredible power and versatility. In addition to its solo demonstration, the A-10 participated in a United States Air Force Heritage Flight.

The U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight program presents the evolution of USAF air power by flying today’s state-of-the-art fighter aircraft in close formation with vintage fighter aircraft. A Heritage Flight performance involves a current USAF fighter piloted by an Air Combat Command trained military Heritage pilot and flown with a historical warbird piloted by a trained and certified civilian Heritage Flight pilot. The Heritage Flight formations of modern fighters flying with World War II, Korean, and Vietnam era fighters such as the P-51 Mustang and F-86 Sabre, dramatically display our U.S. Air Force air power history and proudly support our Air Force’s recruiting and retention effort. The Laughlin Bullhead Air Show Heritage Flight closed the show with a flight of the A-10 Demonstration team jet and a P-51. Mustang. The airshow had an eye catching line up as follows:

-T-28C Trojan Aerobatics

-J-3 Cub Deadstick Aerobatics flown by Eric Tucker

-PBJ-1 Mitchell B-25 Flyby

-T-33 Shooting Star flyby

-P-51 Mustang Fly by and -USAF Heritage Flightt

-Micro Jet flown by Torrey Ward

-MX2 Aerobatics flown by Brad Wursten

-Smoke N’ Thunder Jet Car & Airplane Race with MX2

-MH-60T US Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demonstration

-MiG 17 -Aerobatics flown by Jason Somes

-Smoke N Thunder Jet Car & Airplane Race with MiG 17

-USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration

The Laughlin airshow is an exciting event that showcased incredible aerial displays by skilled pilots and impressive aircraft. It is a thrilling experience for aviation enthusiasts to witness breathtaking maneuvers and demonstrations of precision flying. The airshow also provides an opportunity for attendees to learn more about aviation history, technology, and the skills and dedication of the pilots who perform in the show. Overall, the Laughlin airshow is a fantastic event that celebrates the wonder of flight and the talents of those who take to the skies.