MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – The Blue Angels have named McConnell Air Force Base’s 2024 Frontiers in Flight airshow as the 2024 Blue Angels Military Airshow of the Year.
The airshow was August 24-25, 2024, and brought in a crowd of more than 65,000 people on its first day. The event featured aerial demonstrations, static aircraft displays and interactive exhibits, allowing attendees to see military aviation capabilities up close. The Blue Angels headlined the performances, demonstrating precision flying and teamwork. A variety of military and civilian aircraft were also on display, showcasing both historical and modern aviation technology.
The award recognizes excellence in planning, execution, and community engagement, key factors that set McConnell’s airshow apart. The Blue Angels evaluate each of the airshows they performed at in 2024, considering elements such as crowd management, logistical coordination, airfield operations, and overall event impact. McConnell’s ability to coordinate a large-scale event while maintaining strict safety protocols and providing an engaging experience contributed to its selection for this recognition.
The air show was also cut short on Aug. 25, when a wet microburst, a sudden, intense downdraft of sustained 50+ mph winds and rain, forced the cancellation of the second day’s events.
These weather events are common in the Great Plains during the summer, typically forming overnight and weakening after sunrise. However, in this case, an upper-level disturbance allowed the storm to persist longer than expected, creating unsafe conditions for public attendance and flying demonstrations.
“Planning for the air show began about two years prior. The number of variables to cover is incredibly wide, ranging from weather and medical emergencies to making sure there is enough food and parking spaces for everyone,” said Maj. Ryan Sheive, 350th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilot and air show director.
Hosting a large-scale event like an airshow requires extensive coordination across multiple agencies both on base and throughout the local communities, requiring months of preparation, and the ability to adapt to unforeseen challenges.
“We had a great team this year, but during the air show there were challenges that popped up every five minutes,” said Capt. Matthew Robbins, 350th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 pilot and air show deputy director. “There were more people in attendance this year than was expected -- lines at security check, medical teams helping attendees with the heat and when the weather hit, that’s when we really stepped up as a team.”
Planning is also underway for the next Frontiers in Flight Airshow, slated for the fall of 2026.