For the first time in four years, Joint Base Lewis-McChord is hosting an exhibition of Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine aircraft and other weapons. Featuring the Air Force’s F-16 Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team and the Army’s Golden Knights parachute demonstration team, the event is expected to draw daily crowds of more than 200,000. The event and parking are free, but with I-5 construction scheduled for this weekend, early arrival and planning are essential.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord Airshow and Warrior Expo, Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 27-28, 2016
Gates open at 9 a.m.; flying begins at 11 a.m.
Parking and admission is free; but vehicles may be turned away when base parking lots reach capacity. Pierce Transit is also providing shuttle service (see below) from free parking lots in Tacoma and Lakewood (fares apply).
Valid photo ID must be presented at the gate to the base. See website for prohibited items.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(Specific times to be determined)
• B-17 Stratofortress
• UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) /AH-1 Cobra Helicopter Demo
• WWII Warbird Dog Fight (what are the airframes?)
• Acemaker Jet Solo
• C-17 Globemaster III Demo
• U.S. Army Golden Knights
• P-38 Lightning Solo
• Nakajima Ki-43 Oscar Solo
• B-25 Mitchell Bomber Fly by
• Cascade Warbirds
• Joint Forces Demonstration
• F/A-18 Hornet Tactical Demonstration
• U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Demonstration
Bus service to JBLM Air Show and Warrior Expo this weekend
On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27 -28 Pierce Transit will provide express bus service for visitors to the JBLM Air Show and Warrior Expo at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Rides to and from the event will take place from three locations:
Lakewood Towne Center, Lakewood, behind the Target and Barnes & Noble stores;
Tacoma Dome Station, Bus Platform at Puyallup Ave & East G Street, Tacoma;
Lakewood Sounder Station, 11424 Pacific Highway SW, Lakewood.
Parking is free. Fares — Adults: $2 for a one-way ride; $5 for an all-day pass; Senior/disabled/youth $1, $2.50. Service to the event runs every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. both days; there will also be some buses running back to the parking areas during those times. Return service to parking locations resumes at 4 p.m., with the last trip leaving JBLM at approximately 4:45 p.m. Event gates open to the general public at 9 a.m. and flying begins at approximately 11 a.m.
