Last updated on April 6th, 2025 at 04:52 pm
Sun, sand, and supersonic thrills—what’s not to love? The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are bringing their high-flying air demonstration to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi on November 1–2, 2025. What makes this event truly special is the location: you can claim your spot right on the white sand of Biloxi Beach, where the jets will soar above the Gulf of Mexico. Pack your cooler with snacks, and drinks (yes, even the grown-up kind), and settle in for an unforgettable weekend of aviation action under clear southern skies.
If 2023 was any indication, you’re in for a treat. In the days leading up to that show, I watched the Thunderbirds fly in flawless formation across the Mississippi Gulf Coast skies.
Whether driving or walking along the beach, it was a breathtaking sight—the roar of the jets, the precision of their maneuvers. It’s a powerful display of engineering excellence and elite pilot skill that leaves you feeling both inspired and incredibly proud to be an American.
While this upcoming event is one you won’t want to miss, even if you’re reading this afterward, there’s still plenty to enjoy. I’ve included detailed background information on Keesler Air Force Base, its historic role in U.S. military aviation, and the legendary Thunderbirds themselves—plus some great videos to bring it all to life. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or just love a good beachside spectacle, it’s definitely worth your time.
The Thunderbirds helped bring thousands of people together to watch and associate. This is a great time to have fun with others and just for the day, forget your other worries.
Thunder over the sound
If you want to explore more, you can visit Keesler Air Force Base and see their displays of various aircraft. This is an opportunity for you to get up close as this is a special open house for the event. The base is normally closed to the public so this is a chance to see a real working Air Force base.
The City of Biloxi and Keesler have developed a local area partnership for many decades. Keesler has a very long history and is currently one of the largest training bases for the Air Force. The air show is a good reason to open the base for visitors.
I am a veteran of the Air Force as is my brother. He works with the USO and is frequently on the base. I worked at a USO event on the base and it was great to meet the fine people who are defending our nation.
Love Jets, you need to be in Biloxi for the Air Show. Thunder over the Sound. Check out the schedule below.
Show Schedule
Suggestion
Arrive in the morning at the shuttle bus stop after 9:00 AM. Take the shuttle to Keesler Air Force Base to see the exhibits there. Then to the beach in the afternoon for the big air show. Plan on the day. Bring folding chairs and water. Don’t forget sunscreen, towels, and sunglasses. Head protection is recommended. Bring your cameras or cell phones. If you have sensitive hearing, bring earplugs. Enjoy.
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds – Biloxi Beaches
The main attraction is the 6 blue jets of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. They have a full schedule of approximately 30 maneuvers in their F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. Most of their flights will be over the water where anyone at the beach will have an unobstructed view. Of course, it’s free to view the show. In addition to the US Air Force Thunderbirds, other aerial demonstrations are planned.
Wings of Blue – Keesler Flightline
The wings of the Blue demonstration team will give visitors a view of precision parachuting. This team consists of instructors in basic free-fall parachuting at the Air Force Academy.
NOTE: The following was from 2023, the 2025 specific show details were not available at this time but will be updated.
Tora!-Tora!-Tora! – Keesler Flightline
This show includes a Mitsubishi A6M “Zero” from World War II and a pyrotechnic display. The intention is to recreate the historic attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Jet Provost Aerobatic – Keeslerllight Line
This British jet trainer is a side-by-side seating configuration aircraft with dual controls.
AceMaker – Keesler Flightline
Gregory “Wired” Colyer will be demonstrating the T-33 trainer jet.
Trojan Phlyers – Keesler Flightline
This group of pilots will be flying in formation and doing solo aerobatics demonstrating the excellence of the former North American Aviation Company.
Fighter Jets Inc. – Keelser Flightline
Patty Wagstaff – Keesler Flightline
Chiefpitts – Keesler Flightline
Best Viewing Area at Biloxi Beach
intersection of white ave and the beach between I110 off ramp on the East and Acacia drive on the West
PARKING
The general public is required to take shuttle buses from off-base parking to the Keesler Air Force Base flight line. You can not walk onto the base without a DOD identification card. No base parking except for vehicles with military identification. The shuttle buses are free. Shuttle bus service starts at 9:00 AM for all parking areas.
Parking Areas (off base):
- The intersection of Bayview Avenue & Kensington Drive
- IP Casino at 867 Bayview Ave
- Intersection of Benachi Avenue & Lasalle Drive
Parking Areas (on base)
- The intersection of Fisher Street & H Street
- Across from Tyler House
- Dragon Fitness & Dolan Hall
- Handicapped at Hangar Road & Phantom Street
Much more
You will see a demonstration of a MiG-17F aircraft designed by the Soviet Union. Chief Pitts’s Special airplane will demonstrate the capability of the aircraft and pilot. Static displays of many aircraft will be on display at Keesler Air Force Base. Jets on the ground at Keesler are part of the entire air show. Don’t miss seeing them.
Watching the precision of Air Force Pilots is a key reason for attending the show. Many will use this air show as a reason to go somewhere with the family and have fun at no cost. If this is your first time attending an air show, I suggest that you bring some earplugs as the sound when the jets are close to you can be intense.
Their most famous flying is the four-aircraft diamond formation. This takes great skill and shows everyone that our men and women in the military services of the United States are superior to any military on the planet.
Your appearance at the beach and on the base shows our service members that you support them. By the way, the Thunderbirds are not the Blue Angels. The Blue Angels have performed on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the past and they are equally great to watch. I wanted to clear this up.
PROHIBITED ITEMS ON BASE
- Weapons
- Handheld knives
- Pepper spray
- Pets (except service animals)
- Alcohol or drinks except for infant formula
- Flammable items
- Artificial noise makers
- Laser Pointers
- Signs, flags, banners
- Glass containers
- Pop-up tents and umbrellas
PERMITTED ITEMS ON BASE
- Small purses
- School-sized backpacks
- Folding chairs (must be removed from bags at the entrance)
- Camera, video cameras, and phones
- Strollers and wagons
- Water bottles not glass
About Keesler Air Force Base: History, Legacy, and Its Role in U.S. Military Aviation
While Keesler Air Force Base (AFB) is well-known for thrilling air shows and the iconic U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, its rich military history and ongoing mission make it one of the most important training facilities in the country. If you’re planning to attend the 2025 Thunderbirds Air Show in Biloxi, take a moment to learn how Keesler became the Gulf Coast powerhouse it is today.
A Base Built with Foresight: Keesler’s Origins in 1941
The story of Keesler AFB began in early 1941 before the U.S. formally entered World War II. Leaders from the City of Biloxi, Mississippi, recognizing the growing global conflict and the military’s increasing need for training facilities, proactively reached out to the U.S. Army to propose building a base.
Biloxi offered the Army a site that included the old Naval Reserve Park, parts of Oak Park, and a small airfield. The War Department accepted the proposal and officially activated the site in March 1941 as Army Air Corps Station #8, the future Aviation Mechanics School.
Honoring a Mississippi Hero: The Naming of Keesler AFB
The base was named after 2nd Lt. Samuel Reeves Keesler Jr., a Mississippi native from Greenwood who was killed in action during World War I in France. His sacrifice and service are memorialized in the base’s name—a reminder of the Mississippi roots that run deep in Keesler’s history.
Wartime Expansion and Economic Impact
Construction of the base cost over $10 million at the time, equivalent to more than $200 million today. In September 1941, the first unit—the 304th Technical School Squadron—moved in.
Initially established as a training center for aircraft mechanics, Keesler quickly expanded its mission. The base became both a technical training facility and a basic training center for the Army Air Corps, bringing a massive influx of personnel. The population of Biloxi doubled almost overnight.
Keesler’s World War II Contribution
During World War II, Keesler played a crucial role in training mechanics for B-24 bombers, as well as copilots and aircrew members. It was also one of the first bases to incorporate women instructors, who helped fill manpower gaps.
In 1945, Keesler began training air-sea rescue crews for the Air Transport Command’s Air Rescue Service, showcasing the base’s versatility and growing importance to the war effort. The economic and social impact on the Mississippi Gulf Coast was profound.
Post-War Legacy and Ongoing Mission
Unlike many military bases that were closed after World War II, Keesler remained active and evolved with the needs of the newly formed U.S. Air Force. By 1947, Keesler expanded into aircraft engine maintenance and radar technician training, setting the stage for decades of innovation and leadership in technical education.
Today, Keesler AFB continues to train airmen from across the country and is an integral part of both the U.S. military infrastructure and the Biloxi community.
Tuskegee Airmen Were Here
By 1943, over 7,000 African American airmen were stationed at Keesler Field. Among them were pre-aviation cadets, radio operators, bombardiers, aviation mechanics, and technicians. These skilled individuals played a vital role in supporting the legendary Tuskegee Airmen as they fought in Europe during World War II.
A Legacy of Innovation and Training
In 1950, Congress approved $44 million to modernize Keesler. The upgrades included the establishment of a new school to train technicians for the SM-65 Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile program. When Scott Air Force Base’s training mission was relocated, Keesler expanded to include control tower operations and radio maintenance instruction.
Expanding the Mission
Following the Vietnam War, as other training bases were decommissioned, Keesler took on even more responsibilities. After the closure of Chanute and Lowry Air Force Bases, Keesler became the primary hub for training in weather forecasting and meteorology.
If It Needs Training, It Happens at Keesler
Keesler isn’t just for the Air Force. It has become a joint training center for personnel from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and various government agencies. From doctors and nurses to radar and cyber technicians, Keesler trains them all. The base remains one of the most active and essential components of the U.S. military training infrastructure.
Biloxi has become home to many former military members
I could not close this article without mentioning that many former Air Force and Navy members (plus Army, Marines, and Coast Guard) have returned to Biloxi after their tours and settled in as their retirement homes. Others left the military service and years later remembered the good times they had in Biloxi and they returned to live here. Interested in a home in or around Biloxi, click here to see what is available.
With the Veterans Administration Hospital and Armed Forces Retirement home plus the facilities at Keesler AFB and the SEABEE base, retirees can feel at home.
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the Thunderbirds?
The Thunderbirds are the official air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force. They perform precision aerial maneuvers to showcase the capabilities and professionalism of the U.S. Air Force.
2. When were the Thunderbirds established?
The Thunderbirds were officially activated on May 25, 1953, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
3. What aircraft do the Thunderbirds fly?
They currently fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon, a multi-role fighter jet known for its agility and speed.
4. How many jets are in a Thunderbird air show performance?
The full demonstration features six F-16 aircraft flying in formation and solo routines.
5. Are the Thunderbird pilots active duty military?
Yes. All pilots and support personnel are active-duty members of the U.S. Air Force, selected for their outstanding skill, discipline, and professionalism.
6. How are Thunderbird team members selected?
Team members are chosen through a competitive selection process based on their experience, skill level, leadership, and ability to represent the Air Force.
7. How fast do the Thunderbirds fly during a show?
Speeds during performances range from approximately 150 mph (for formation maneuvers) to over 700 mph (just under the speed of sound) during high-speed passes.
8. Can civilians ride in a Thunderbird jet?
In rare instances, the Thunderbirds offer orientation flights to selected civilians, such as educators, media members, or public figures, to help promote understanding of the Air Force mission.
9. Do the Thunderbirds perform internationally?
Yes. While most shows are in the United States, the Thunderbirds occasionally perform internationally to strengthen relationships with allied nations.
10. How can I find out when the Thunderbirds will be performing near me?
The team’s official schedule is published on the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds website: https://afthunderbirds.com
Please read our other articles about events in and around the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This is a terrific place to live and visit.
PODCAST – BILOXI AIR SHOW 2023
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