Defenders of Freedom aerospace show returns to Offut

BELLEVUE, Nebraska (KMTV) – The air show returns to Offutt on Saturday and Sunday after a six-year hiatus and neighbors are excited about the event's return

• The air show returns to Offutt after a six-year hiatus
• The shows start Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m.
• Neighbors are excited about the show returning to their community

TRANSCRIPT OF THE MISSION:

The sky over Bellevue is full of airplanes.

Offutt Air Force Base is preparing for the Defenders of Freedom aerospace show after a six-year hiatus.

Due to events such as COVID, flooding and runway maintenance, the Offutt show was canceled, but now it returns on Saturday and neighbors can witness the return of this major event to the community.

Community members like Sheila Patterson enjoy being able to see the Air Force's work up close, and that's important.

“Once you have everyone out here, the electricity that's in everyone, and then you talk to the pilots and everyone involved in maintaining these planes and jets, it's just phenomenal,” Patterson said.

Seeing this helps her and others understand how much work it is to fly these jets and what the men and women in the Air Force do.

“Seeing them up close is humbling because you know what all these men and women are here for: for us and for the United States, and I like that,” she said.

And Jesse Handz agrees. He says these events are important for people to see what they do and help them build relationships with community members.

“We just need to build a connection with the public and build trust with them. They spend a lot of money with us and pay for our training. We want to show that we do training, use the money and put it to good use,” Handz said.

There will be performances throughout the day, including the main event featuring the US Air Force Thunder Birds with new routines compared to pre-COVID ones. There will also be aircraft demonstrations on the ground for visitors.

Gates open at 9am on Saturday, with the first screening starting at 12pm. Visitors should bring earplugs.