FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Team Fairchild hosted the SkyFest 2024 airshow for more than 80 thousand members of the Inland Northwest community at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, June 22-23, 2024.
During SkyFest, community members witnessed the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachute team, A-10 Thunderbolt II demonstration team, C-17 Globemaster III west coast demo team, Firewalkers Pyrotechnics and 10 other aerial acts.
“SkyFest presents an amazing opportunity for Team Fairchild to demonstrate our mission to the Inland NW community and showcase our appreciation for their continued support,” said Major Simon Pena, 92nd Force Support Squadron operations officer and 2024 airshow ground director. “We wanted the community to personally experience what our Airmen and Team Fairchild do every day.”
Events like SkyFest allow communities within the Inland Northwest to witness U.S. military air capabilities and the Air Force's premier air refueling wing in action.
“Being able to be a part of something like this, getting to see the wonder in peoples’ eyes, is an incredible feeling,” said Pena. “For me, it’s an honor to continue serving this community that has welcomed us for so long.”
Local law enforcement and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) experts hosted expos for children and young adults to help build interest in STEAM careers. The Air Force recognizes a critical need for STEAM talent in technology and innovation efforts to keep the Air Force ready for any future challenges.
In conjunction with SkyFest, the 141st Air National Guard celebrated 100 years of Aviation in the Spokane community. This year also marks the A-10 Demo Team’s final season after 40 years of performing around the world.
“The air act that I’m most excited about is the A-10 Demo Team,” said Pena. “Many pilots have flown this historic airframe at hundreds of airshows and this year is the culmination of all the hard work and dedication of everyone that has ever flown the A-10.”
According to Pena, Team Fairchild can only exist with the continual support from the Inland Northwest community, and SkyFest was another opportunity to maintain the strong partnership that enables Fairchild AFB to remain the Air Force’s premier air refueling team supporting Global Reach.