Thunderbirds release practice, performance schedule

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team is scheduled to conclude the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2021 graduation ceremony May 26 with a 30-minute performance above Falcon Stadium.

The performance is expected to begin between 12:30 p.m.-1 p.m., just after the hat toss.

The Thunderbirds will arrive in Colorado Springs Monday, May 24 and fly over the Academy around 1:40 p.m. for a site survey. The team will practice their full performance over the Academy’s Falcon Stadium from 10:30 – 11:45 a.m. May 25.

As mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Santa Fe Trail and roads under the show area will be closed during practice and graduation day performance.

The following roads will be closed from 10 a.m. - noon May 25, and 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. May 26:

-- Stadium Boulevard - from Tri-intersection Bridge to Parade Loop
-- Community Center Drive - from Stadium Boulevard to E. Douglass Drive
--  Academy Drive - from Stadium Drive to the Falcon Club
-- The Santa Fe Trail from Tri-intersection Bridge to Parade Loop

These times are subject to change depending upon circumstances beyond our control.

The Academy remains closed to non-DoD ID card holders and will not be accessible for viewing the Thunderbird flyovers, either May 25 or 26.

For safety reasons, the public is reminded not to stop along Interstate 25 to watch any of the Thunderbird performances.

Visit www.afthunderbirds.com for more information on the Thunderbirds.

Visit www.usafa.edu/about/traditions/graduation/ for more graduation information.