Officials at Tyndall AFB are excited to host the 2017 Gulf Coast Salute air show April 22-23, 2017.

The Gulf Coast Salute will be the Air Force’s largest air show of 2017 in Northwest Florida, and the base is planning to make it the best air show to-date. It will also be an Air Combat Command flagship event in celebration of United States Air Force’s 70th year.

The show is free and open to everyone.

“We are excited to showcase everything the Air Force has to offer, and the weekend will be full of fun and entertaining performances,” said Maj. Jesus Figueroa, air show director for the 2017 Gulf Coast Salute. Figueroa went on to say that the base is expecting numerous civilian aerobatic acts, historic warbirds on display and plenty of current military aircraft on the ground for the public to experience.

The Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the event, taking to the skies each day of the show. The Thunderbirds proudly represent pride, precision and professionalism of American Airmen, flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon in a riveting aerial demonstration. Every hour-long demonstration combines years of training and experience with an attitude of excellence to showcase the Air Force.

Those in attendance will also be able to see the F-22 Raptor up close, as well as watch it in flight from the flight line.

The air show will provide an opportunity for Airmen stationed at Tyndall AFB to show friends, neighbors and family what they do in the Air Force and how they support the mission here.

“The Gulf Coast Salute is a gesture of goodwill to Bay County and the surrounding area,” Figueroa said. The air show helps build relationships between the base and the community, and also educates the public about the Air Force, Figueroa continued. “It allows us to say thank you for the support we receive year-round.”

Other confirmed acts include the Tora Group, the Ace Maker T-33, the iconic Red Tail P-51C Mustang and many others. Those in attendance can expect a full array is historic aircraft, from the Air Force’s fledgling days in World War II, to today’s most advanced fighters.

Officials are anticipating 150,000 people at the event, which is hosted every two to three years. Tyndall AFB hosted the last Gulf Coast Salute in 2015, and 2011 before that.

For more information about the 2017 Gulf Coast Salute at Tyndall AFB, visit http://www.gulfcoastsalute.com.