Arctic Thunder 2026

Story and photos by Shawn Byers

Welcome to the top of the world. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), known verbally as “Jay Bear”, welcomed the public to the bi-annual air show on the 8th and 9th of August 2026.
For as long as I can recall, I have wanted to make it to this show. Owing to the locale, it was bound to be a different experience than I am used to.

For the briefest of history, Elmendorf Field was constructed in 1940 and named for Captain Hugh M. Elmendorf. He was a great pilot with no actual connection to Alaska, but his name came next in base naming, and it became so on 12 December 1940. However, in November 1940, the War Department designated the base as Fort Richardson. A large buildup of fighter squadrons occurred in the summer of 1941 and then exploded after the Attack on Pearl Harbor becoming the 11th Air Force.

Fast forward to 1947 and the Army moved to the new Fort Richardson and the new Air Force stayed at Elmendorf Air Force Base. Fort Richardson is named for Brigadier General Wilds P. Richardson, who served in Alaska between 1897 and 1917. Fort Richardson moved into its current location north of Elmendorf AFB in 1950.

Both bases grew after World War II, through the Cold War, and post September 11th as Alaska combines strategic placement and one-of-a-kind training areas. Fort Richardson is now home to the 11th Airborne Division. In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) recommended that Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson be united, which took place in 2010.

JBER is not the northernmost base but together with Eielson Air Force Base and their F-35As, the combined Generation 5 Fighter presence is the strategic top cover for America. JBER has two fighter squadrons, the 90th “Dicemen” and the 525th “Bulldogs”, flying the F-22 Raptor. The 90th is one of the oldest squadrons in the United States, established in 1917.

Additional units at JBER under the 3rd Wing include the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron, flying the E-3G Sentry and the 517th Airlift Squadron, flying the C-17 and C-12.

I attended the Friday practice day and the Saturday air show. The show runway was 06/24 at 10,000 feet and 200 feet wide, which always offers a favorable sun angle. Show center was actually close to the approach end of Runway 24.

There is a joke in Alaska about weather reporting…just stick your head outside. Sunny and mild can turn cloudy, breezy and chilly quickly and then go back to sunny and mild. Fortunately for the airshow, conditions were mostly sunny with mild but refreshing temperatures.

On Friday, the morning was cloudy and I saw that an arming competition was imminent. Eielson brought F-35s from the 355th “Fightin’ Falcons” and the 356th “Green Demons” for static display along with their respective mascot outfits. I never saw if the actual arms competition started or if it ran throughout the weekend or who else was participating. Once the flying gets started, I assume my spot at the line, but I was rooting for Eielson because bringing the mascots is always a winning move to me.

Four F-22s launched but we were not sure if it was an operational mission that we were not allowed to photograph or an air show performance that we could. They returned a short time later to execute a missing man formation, but the clouds were low and it was a single flat pass not worth the photo that I took.

A C-130 launched with who I assume were members of the 11th Airborne Division. They would return to earth shortly to officially open the show deploying the American Flag and the Flag of Alaska.

Still pre-show, Blue Angel 7 took off left to right with a lucky passenger and quick-climbed at the end of the runway in spectacular fashion.

Another C-130 launched with the Navy’s Leap Frogs onboard. They returned to earth after Kyle Fowler’s performance.

The C-17 Demo Team, utilizing an airframe from Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, demonstrated the maneuverability of the big airlifter.

Kyle Fowler actually performed twice in his yellow Long EZ. He said the aircraft performed well in the thick air.

Skip Stewart also performed twice in his colorful Pitts S-2S. His takeoff goes directly into an amazing knife edge which he carries the length of the runway.

Undaunted Airshows is a two-plane formation demonstration consisting of RV-7 and RV-8 VANS homebuilt aircraft.

The Golden Knights performed just around noon. On Saturday, I flew with them. Understandably, it was a cold ride but I was prepared and only a little chilled. I did not get the seat I wanted but the scenery was great and although I miss a lot of air show during the “hurry up and wait”, it is always a pleasure to ride with them.

When I returned to my spot Saturday, the place was packed! I didn’t know what to expect in Alaska but this was a big deal. An estimated 200,000 people attended the air show weekend.
There were three Warbirds in attendance. All trainer types. One BT-13 and two T-6s flew circuits.

The Joint Forces Demonstration was what I most looked forward to. Combining forces with assets from Elmendorf and Fort Richardson, there were a lot of moving parts and a feast for the eyes.

First, a C-130 launched from left to right. Then, a single F-35 and two F-22s launched right to left.

The F-22s demonstrated an initial dog fight to establish air dominance. It was too high for a good photo.

The F-35 simulated a bombing run, flying over with all weapons doors open. Some pyrotechnics were employed but never in the frame. All fighters then assumed High CAP (Combat Air Patrol)

The C-130 approached and dropped Paratroopers from the Army’s 11th Airborne Division simulating an airborne attack.

The C-130 returned a short time later in a refueling configuration with an HH-60 “Jolly Green” from the 210th Rescue Squadron of the Alaska Air National Guard in tow.

The HH-60 peeled off and immediately simulated the rescue of an injured service member.

A pair of AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 11th Airborne Division out of Fort Wainwright approached for a low-level attack. Make no mistake, I do like the opportunity to see Apaches in flight, but I was extremely disappointed that they were not flying with snow skis. I know they had flown with them in past shows, and I really wanted to see that. C’Mon, this is Alaska! Opportunity lost.

Well, at least some helicopters were wearing skis to save the day. Two UH-60s of the Alaska Army National Guard approached in a staggered profile and dropped off more troops.

Onboard were members of the 6th Division Engineer Battalion. They disembarked and assumed a defensive position as the helicopters lifted off.

The unit executed a move and cover operation with smoke grenades, closing the gap to the defended objective. Eventually they overpowered the defenders and took the objective.

The helicopters returned to recover the troops. Victorious smiles and waves all around as they passed by.

All other aircraft recovered to include the C-130 which had remained airborne throughout.

The F-22 Demo Team performed next but rather than bringing their usual airframes to Alaska, they used one based at JBER. Flares were employed and additionally, the moist and thick air presented a lot of vapors.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels closed the show with their first visit to Alaska in ten years.

Notable static aircraft on the ground included everything based at JBER, two F-35s and an F-16 from Eielson AFB, an RC-135 Rivet Joint from Offutt AFB, a U-2 from Beale AFB, a Royal Canadian Air Force EP-140 Aurora, and an AC-130 Ghost Rider.

All in all, it was a very enjoyable weekend at this strategic base. It is always a privilege to be welcomed in. I wish to thank the Media Team of Section Chief, Maria Galvez, SSGT Ireland Summers, and others who assisted and who I interacted with. Additionally, thank you to Maj Carly Costello and Kyle Huffman from JBER Public Affairs whom I met at the Joint Base Andrews show a year prior, allowing me to get the ball rolling on this trip and cementing it from a want to a reality.