JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force honor guard members marched in close formation, bearing the U.S. and service flags with measured steps as they presented the colors — a solemn tradition that signaled respect and set the stage for the National Anthem. As the honor guard posted, faces turned upward as white trails curled across the sky above Joint Base Andrews, marking the path of a small aerobatic aircraft. The trails circled tighter, the engine’s rhythmic hum growing louder with each pass, almost as if in harmony with the rising notes of the National Anthem.
What began as faint yellow specks overhead became a group of golden parachutes. Red smoke streamed from the jumpers as they glided in formation, the anthem reaching its crescendo just as the U.S. Army Golden Knights filled the sky with an American flag billowing in the wind. Their red and white trails against the blue sky formed a tribute to the nation’s colors.
As the Golden Knights completed their descent and landed precisely on target, the crowd erupted in cheers, officially opening the 2025 Joint Base Andrews Air Show. The three-day event, held Sept. 12–14, brought tens of thousands of visitors to the installation to witness aerial demonstrations, explore aircraft displays and connect with the Airmen who carry out the Air Force mission.
The air show spanned three days, with two open to the public and one dedicated to service members, government employees and their families. Each day began with an opening ceremony that featured a welcome, a prayer and the National Anthem.
During the first day’s ceremony, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Daniel DeVoe, U.S. Air Force District of Washington commander, welcomed visitors from across the National Capital Region, emphasizing his gratitude for their support.
“This region is unlike any other. In addition to its iconic landmarks and rich history, it’s the people who make this area extraordinary,” DeVoe said. “Your commitment to service, community and country is what fuels our mission every day.”
DeVoe also introduced the 2025 Joint Base Andrews Air Show theme, emphasizing how it connects the installation’s heritage with its mission moving forward.
“This year’s theme, ‘Where legacy fuels the future,’ reminds us that our strength as a military is rooted in the generations that came before us and in a history of teamwork and partnership,” DeVoe said. “From the earliest days of flight to the advanced technologies of tomorrow, we honor the pioneers who laid the foundation, and we look ahead to the innovations that shape the future.”
DeVoe was joined over the weekend by U.S. Air Force Col. Jun S. Oh, 316th Wing and installation commander, and U.S. Air Force Col. Christopher Robinson, 89th Airlift Wing commander, in welcoming visitors and guests. Oh gave the welcome on Saturday, with Robinson taking the role on Sunday. Together, they thanked the show’s sponsors, community partners and volunteers, underscored the importance of connecting the Air Force with the public it serves, and reminded the audience that Joint Base Andrews’ mission continues even during the spectacle of an air show.
Joint Base Andrews, known as “America’s Airfield,” is led by the 316th Wing and hosts missions that span airlift, refueling, fighter defense and helicopter support in the National Capital Region. Together, units such as the 89th Airlift Wing, 1st Helicopter Squadron, 459th Air Refueling Wing and the 113th Wing, D.C. Air National Guard — along with other tenant partners like Naval Air Facility Washington and other joint components — ensure the base provides secure transport for national leaders, protects the skies over the capital, delivers rapid response in crises and projects American airpower worldwide.
All weekend, visitors could see how the base’s history connects directly to the missions carried out today. Inside the hangars, heritage displays and historic aircraft told the story of past generations of Airmen, while outside on the flightline, modern aircraft and demonstrations showed how that legacy continues in today’s Air Force. Together, it echoed the theme of the show — legacy fuels the future.
The aerial lineup featured some of the military’s most recognized aircraft and demonstration teams including the U.S. Army Parachute Team known as the Golden Knights, the C-17 Globemaster III East Coast Demonstration Team and the Navy’s F/A-18 Rhino Demo Team. Civilian aerobatic performers added variety to the schedule, while vintage warbirds connected audiences with aviation heritage. On the ground, attendees could explore hangars filled with science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) exhibits and static displays. Guests of all ages had the opportunity to meet Airmen in a wide range of career fields and honor guard members performed drill routines, showcasing discipline and ceremonial excellence to the crowd. Each afternoon ended with the roar of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, whose high-speed passes and shifting formations — from the signature diamond to solo displays and high-speed passes — brought the crowd to its feet in the show’s most anticipated moment.
Heritage aircraft were another main feature at the air show, including “Panchito,” a B-25 Mitchell bomber still flying more than 70 years after its service in World War II. Several other historic aircraft were on static display, offering attendees a close-up view of aviation history. Among the notable figures present was U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. George G. London Jr. (Ret.), the first Air Force pilot of the C-17 Globemaster III.
Outside, the flightline was alive with the roar of engines as demonstrations showcased the speed, power and precision of military aviation. Between performances, crowds filled vendor lines for turkey legs, burgers, funnel cakes and ice-cold drinks, making the show as much a community festival as an aviation event. Young and old alike waved and pointed skyward and, when necessary, found shade beneath static aircraft displays.
As buses carried visitors off the installation at the close of the three-day event, the echoes of jet engines and applause lingered over “America’s Airfield.” What began with the Golden Knights unfurling the American flag in the opening ceremony carried through to the final Thunderbird pass — a weekend that blended heritage, community and airpower. For Joint Base Andrews, the air show was more than a display of aircraft; it was a reminder that while missions continue every day, the legacy of service fuels the future and connects the Air Force with the nation it defends.