Gulf Coast Salute Open House & Air Show at Tyndall Air Force Base

As the United States Air Force turns 70 this year, Tyndall AFB will celebrate by hosting the 2017 Gulf Coast Salute Open House and Air Show, April 22-23, 2017. The air show, which will be Air Combat Command’s flagship event for the Air Force’s anniversary, will be the largest air show of 2017 in Northwest Florida. Base officials say they are planning to make it the best air show yet. The Gulf Coast Salute Air Show After Party featuring Meghan Linsey of The Voice will take place at Panama City Marina Apr 22 at 10pm. 

The Gulf Coast Salute Air Show: Apr 22 & 23. Tyndall Air Force Base. Gates open at 9am each day.
After Party: Apr 22 10pm at Panama City Marina

The base gates will open at 9 a.m. each day. Admission and parking are both absolutely free.

Tyndall is the “Home of Air Dominance,” and after watching the air show, you will know exactly how and why we got our name. For this year’s show we’ve pulled out all the stops and will feature performances by the Thunderbirds, the F-22 demonstration team, and many more.

“We are excited to showcase everything the Air Force has to offer, and the weekend will be full of fun and entertaining performances,” said Maj. Jesus Figueroa, air show director for the 2017 Gulf Coast Salute.

The Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the event, taking to the skies each day of the show for a one-hour aerial demonstration. The team tours the world representing the pride, precision and professionalism of American Airmen. Flying specially marked F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Thunderbirds are famous for their aerobatic formation and solo flying.

The base is also expecting numerous civilian aerobatic acts, historic warbirds on display, and plenty of current military aircraft on the ground for the public to see up close, Figueroa said.

Air show attendees will see the F-22 Raptor, the Air Force’s premier fighter, on static display and in flight.

The air show lets Airmen stationed at Tyndall AFB show friends, neighbors, and family what they do and how they support the mission here.

“The Gulf Coast Salute is a gesture of goodwill to Bay County and the surrounding area,” Figueroa said. The air show helps build relationships between the base and the community, and also educates the public about the Air Force, Figueroa continued. “It allows us to say thank you for the support we receive year-round.”

Other confirmed acts include the Tora Group, the Ace Maker T-33, the iconic Red Tail P-51C Mustang and many others. Those in attendance can expect a full array is historic aircraft, from the Air Force’s fledgling days in World War II, to today’s most advanced fighters.

Officials anticpate 150,000 people at the event, which is hosted every two to three years. Tyndall AFB hosted the last Gulf Coast Salute in 2015, and 2011 before that. The show is free and open to everyone. Visit gulfcoastsalute.com for aerial acts, events schedule and FAQ. 

The F-22 Raptor is an incredible aircraft, and spectators at the 2017 Gulf Coast Salute Open House and Air Show will have the opportunity to experience it firsthand.