ST. CLAIR COUNTY, Ill. — After five years, the Air Show and STEM Expo is back at Scott Air Force Base this weekend May 13-14.
The Scott Air Force Base Air Show and STEM Expo is free and open to the public, but guests can purchase premium seating tickets. Gates will open at 9 a.m. both days.
The air show will feature the U.S. Navy Blue Angels who will be flying Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet, as well as the F-22 Demo, C-17 Demo, MiG-17, and other aircrafts. On Friday, fans gathered at Air Park located outside Scott Air Force Base to watch a preview.
Air Force pilot Cmdr. Samuel Larson will be flying an F-22 aircraft during the weekend’s air show. He is part of the F-22 Demo Team.
Viewers can expect to see the F-22 perform backflips, tailslides, cartwheels and flat spins and more.
“We’re going to showcase the raw power of the jet, as well as the super maneuverability of the jet, performing maneuvers that no other combat-ready fighter can perform,” Larson said.
His favorite maneuver is called the Dedication Pass, which is to honor those in the crowd who have served. The jet will do an arcing pass at 600 miles an hour.
“That one means the most to myself and the team, and it’s also a lot of fun to fly,” Larson said.
The team also will put on a Heritage Flight with a World War II era P-51 Mustang aircraft.
For the past six years Larson has been flying F-22 aircrafts, however, this is first year performing as a demo pilot. Being part of the air show at Scott Air Force Base this weekend has come full circle for Larson as he and his family would travel from Iowa to attend air shows at the base when he was a child.
“I’m thrilled to be back here to get to perform at the show. I love being back in the Midwest and I’m looking forward to meeting all of the fine folks from around this area,” Larson said.
The event also will feature more than 25 aircraft statics, information on Air Force careers, a play area for children, booths, music, and food and drinks for purchase.
Boeing also will host an “impressive” lineup of activities and displays, including the F/A-18 simulator which will allow guests to fly formation with the Blue Angels and land on a carrier deck.
Additionally, Boeing recruiters will be on hand to connect with talented military members who may be interested in supporting the growing MQ-25 production effort at Boeing St. Clair at Mid-America Airport in Mascoutah.
In case of rain, the air show will be delayed until the weather clears.
For more information about the event, click here.