Maxwell Air Force Base

Maxwell Air Force Base celebrates the Air Force's 70th Anniversary during a two-day Air Show and Open House commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the U.S. entry into WWI and a century of airpower. 

DATE: April 8-9, 2017, Admission is FREE! 

TIMES: Gates will open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
    - Opening ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m.
    - Flying acts perform at 11:00 a.m. 
    - The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will be the last aerial demonstration on both days. 

*Sponsorship opportunities available.  Contact the base Commercial Sponsorship Coordinator at: 334-953-3366

Opening ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m., with live flying acts starting at 11:00 a.m. and will last throughout the afternoon.  Specific times for each act will not be listed due to variables such as weather, aircraft maintenance, etc. However the acts will perform in the following order on both Saturday and Sunday:  
 

1. U.S. Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue Parachute Team

2. WWI Aviation, from the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome; Fokker D-7

3. WWI Aviation; from Friends of Jenny/Dorian Walker; Curtiss JN-4H

4. Greg Shelton Solo; 450 Super Stearman

5. Jeremy Holt Acrobatics, Skybolt 540

6. Jerry Conley in world's 1st single-engine jet fighter; DeHavilland Vampire

7. Tora Tora Tora!; T-6 & P-40

8. Greg Colyer's Acemaker; T-33

9. B2 Spirit Flyby; 509th Bomber Wing, Whiteman AFB

10. Patrouille de France Aerial Demonstration Team; Apha Jet

11. Bill Stein Acrobatics; Edge 540

12. Close Air Support Demonstration; 187th Fighter Wing, Dannelly Field, AL; Alabama Air National Guard's two F-16 Fighting Falcons, with Ground Convoy from Alabama National Guard

13. Cargo drop by the 908th Airlift Wing. Maxwell AFB; C-130 Hercules

14. Greg Shelton Wing Walker; 450 Super Stearman

15. Rob Holland Acrobatics; MXS-RH

16. Rocket Launch; Class 2 Rockets

17. United States Air Force Thunderbirds Aerial Demonstration Team; F-16 Fighting Falcons

PARKING/TRANSPORTATION:
Free parking is available on-base.  The general public entrance for the base beginning at 8 a.m. will be the Maxwell Blv. gate and Day Street gate.  Off-base parking will be available at Cramton Bowl (220 Hall Street, Montgomery, AL 36104) in downtown Montgomery. Buses will be available to transport attendee from Cramton Bowl to the base and will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
 
RV/OVERSIZE VEHICLE PARKING:  RV and oversize vehicles (travel trailers, vehicles bigger than a normal parking spot, etc.) MUST enter Day Street gate. They be directed to TURN RIGHT onto Selfridge Street and will park in the RV/Oversize parking area.

DISABLED OR HANDICAP PARKING: Please have your respective disabled/handicap hang-tag placard visibly displayed in the windshield for clear identification and available to show the traffic detail as needed. Personnel will be directed to the disabled/handicap parking area at the first intersection after entering the base.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION FOR THE 2017 MAXWELL AFB AIR SHOW

Q1. Can International folks attend the airshow?
A1. Yes, the 2017 Maxwell AFB Open House/Air Show is open to the public. 

Q2. What security procedures will be in place to ensure public safety?
A2.  The airshow will have the latest state of the art security to ensure the safety of all attendees.  Attendees will be asked to go through security before entering the airfield area.

Q3. Where do I park?  Will buses be available to bring me on and off base?
A3. Parking is available on base with more than 20,000 spots available.  Additional parking will also be available at the Cramton Bowl (220 Hall Street, Montgomery, AL 36104) in downtown Montgomery. Buses will be available to transport attendees from Crampton Bowl to the base and will run from 8am-6pm.

Q4. Will there be designated smoking areas?
A4. No smoking in the airfield area.  However, there will be designated smoking spots outside the airfield area.   

Q5. Will there be special accommodation for handicap during the air show?
A5. Handicap parking will be available close to the airfield to accommodate the special needs of these who require handicap support.  Additionally, there will be handicapped bathrooms and bleachers available.

Q6. Do I need a ticket to get into the air show?  If so, how do I get them?
A6. The air show is FREE and open to the public on both Saturday and Sunday, no tickets required. 

Q7. Do you have a schedule of events for each day of the air show?
A7. The sequence of events is on the website at: http://www.maxwell.af.mil/AirShow.aspx, under the drop down tabe titled, "Schedule".  Here is listed all the acts and the order in which they will perform for Saturday and Sunday.  The specific times are not listed due to variables such as weather, aircraft maintenance, etc., but the order will be the same for both days.    

 A8: On Saturday, 8 Apr, we will have a sign language interpreter available from the 10:30 a.m. opening ceremony until the last aerial demonstration of the day, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Please look for the "Volunteer Center," which will be a clearly-marked aircraft hangar on the flightline. The volunteers will direct you to the correct seating area in view of the interpreter. Handicap parking is also available. Please have your respective disabled/handicap hang-tag placard visibly displayed in the windshield for clear identification and available to show the traffic detail as needed. Personnel will be directed to the disabled/handicap parking area at the first intersection after entering the base.

Maxwell Air Force Base welcomes The "Patrouille de France" (Patrol of France), a French Air Force aerobatic team who will be performing at this years air show.  The team includes a commander (who commands but does not fly) and nine pilots. The lead pilot who leads the formation in the air is not necessarily the pilot with the longest experience on the team. This makes the French aerobatic team unique because most aerobatic teams have the pilot with the most experience lead the team.  The team also includes two solos (numbers "7" and "8") plus one reserve pilot (who typically has the longest experience on the team but only flies when one of the existing team pilots isn't available.  All pilots use the call sign "Atos". The team is supported by 30 ground crew, who are responsible for maintaining the aircraft.

The team has nine Alpha Jet airplanes, one of which is a spare and carries the number "0". The aircraft of Patrouille de France differ from standard trainers by their coloring (a white, blue and red color scheme) and by the smoke generator on the bottom of the fuselage between two engines which releases white, blue and red smoke. 

The aerobatic demonstrations of the "Patrouille de France" typically last only 20 minutes, which is less than some of the other aerobatic teams around the world.

In order to keep the security lines moving as quickly as possible, please take note of prohibited items while planning your day at Maxwell AFB. The following is a list of banned items that will be confiscated or cause visitors to be turned away at the gate if brought to the Maxwell Air Show:

- Weapons of any kind including pocket knives, pocket tools, scissors, box cutters, batons (collapsible or otherwise), mace, pepper spray, and tasers/stun guns

- Firearms of any type (regardless of open/concealed carry: NO FIREARMS)

- Toys that resemble firearms

- Flammable items, and fireworks, laser pointers, noise makers and air horns

- Pets (except for service animals)

- Spray paint, silly string, aerosol containers with the exception of sunscreen/sunblock and bug spray

- Outside food (except water), coolers, grills, glass containers, ceramic containers/bottles of any kind are prohibited. Aluminum cans are prohibited, however, aluminum containers are authorized but must be emptied prior to entry. Security Forces will make exceptions for medical/children needs as necessary. Medical needs must be validated; example: water bottles, medical alert bracelet or prescription stating the need, etc.

- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) also known as drones, for any purpose whatsoever, are not permitted on the premises; personnel found operating and in possession of such will have UAV confiscated

- RC motorized grounds vehicles (cars/trucks, etc.)

- Walkie-talkies, HAM radios, scanners

- Alcohol, illegal drugs, medical marijuana

- Dry ice

- Bicycles, skateboards, hover boards, scooters, pull wagons/carts, heelies, roller skates or roller blades

- Frisbees, balloons, sport balls, beach balls, or any such projectile

- Obscene/indecent clothing, banners, signs, or other materials

- Excessively large items and bags (the only exceptions are diaper bags, small purses, and small camera bags at or below 21 inches long, 10 inches wide, 10 inches deep)

- All other items may be refused after being deemed inappropriate or unsafe at the discretion of Security Forces All visitors are subject to search by Security Forces.

  All visitors are subject to search by Security Forces. 

Visitors should be prepared for unpredictable Alabama weather by wearing sunscreen, rain jacket and hearing protection.  Other things to consider bringing:

- Water bottles

- Reusable water bottle (empty for security line, free water stations are available inside)

- Hearing protection for children

- Lightweight stroller

- Stadium chair or cushion for free bleacher seating (collapsible camping chairs are fine, but subject to search)    

Visitors may want to bring cash as many booths will be selling food, beverages, and souvenirs.

The kids zone will have the following activities available during the two-day airshow:

• Giant Space Shuttle Slide Inflatable
• 36 Foot Turbo Slide
• Space Camp Combo
• Galaxy Explorer
• Thunderbird Bouncer
• Wrecking Ball
• Rock Wall
• Extreme Air Power Jump (accommodates disable children)