Gunfighter Skies 2026 draws thousands to Mountain Home for thrilling air show, community celebration

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — Thousands of spectators gathered at Mountain Home Air Force Base this weekend as jets roared overhead for the 2026 Gunfighter Skies Air Show, showcasing army aviation and bringing the general public onto the bottom.

Among the pilots performing was US Navy pilot Kevin Lynch, whose character rapidly related with the gang.

“My name is Lieutenant Kevin Lynch. Call sign — Lil Sebastian,” Lynch stated.

“I’m named after the mini horse from Parks and Recbecause I’m as useless as a mini horse, but people love me anyway,” he added with amusing.

Lynch flies the Boeing EA-18G Growler, a specialised model of the F-18 designed for digital warfare missions.

“We are the only electronic attack aircraft in the entire DOD,” Lynch stated. “We’re able to detect radar signatures, and then, additionally, we use our own pod to jam those radars to make sure that we remain undetectable.”

Instead of fight operations, Lynch and his crew carried out aerial demonstrations for the general public.

“It’s a mix of just going fast down low — 500 feet, 1,000 feet — and then the two maneuvers you saw near the crowd were the Cobra maneuver and the tack pitch,” he stated.

Other plane joined the demonstration, together with Mountain Home’s F-15Es and A-10 Thunderbolt II plane from Gowen Field.

“We’re here to celebrate 250 years of air power,” stated Deputy air present director Amanda Finster.

She stated Gunfighter Skies 2026 is each a celebration of aviation historical past and a take a look at trendy Air Force capabilities.

“Yeah, we have a lot of warbirds here,” an organizer stated. “We got the B-51s and some other ones.”

Visitors additionally explored static shows, together with the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, permitting attendees to see army plane up shut.

“To be able to bring the whole community on here for the next two days is just crucial for them to see all the great things that this Air Force can [do],” she stated.

Finster additionally emphasised the significance of community engagement.

“Community relations is one of the things that Mountain Home Air Force Base takes pride in,” Finster stated.

Beyond the flight demonstrations, the occasion included a STEM expo that includes hands-on actions geared toward inspiring future pilots and engineers.

“Getting some high fives from children, it’s been absolutely amazing to see that spark for them to be excited about the aircraft,” an organizer stated.

As the day ended, many spectators lined the fence ready for a remaining take a look at the United States Air Force Thunderbirds as they placed on a show.

The occasion will run once more Sunday as the identical present.

When requested if there have been plans for the air present to return to the Mountain Home Air Force Base within the Future Finster stated, “yes, Mountain Home Air Force Base is extremely excited to host another air show in the near future.”