June 19—In its 82nd year of operation, Fairchild Air Force Base will once again take to the skies this week to perform precision parachuting and mid-air refueling for thousands of people.
Fairchild’s annual free air show, SkyFest, kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday with aerial performances starting at 11 a.m. According to Fairchild’s website, the performances last until 3 p.m.
Among the performances, spectators can observe mid-air refueling from the KC-135 Stratotanker, a “pivot” aircraft at the base. The KC-135 provides refueling support to other branches of the military and allied nation aircraft and can carry up to 83,000 pounds of cargo. According to Fairchild’s website, the B-52, a bomber that can fly at subsonic speeds and altitudes of up to 15,000 feet, will also participate in the show. Other acts include the A-10 Demo Team, a Heritage Flight with the A-10 and Pyrotechnics and a C-17 Demo team.
Before and after the event, travelers should expect delays and plan ahead for traffic around the base. The base’s main entrance will be the main entry point for most traffic and the Graham Gate will have VIP access and handicapped parking, according to a news release from the Washington State Patrol. Event attendees should also plan ahead to pack water, essential medications, lawn chairs and other items for greater comfort during the event. No food is allowed within the event as this is provided as per the base.
The National Weather Service is predicting sunny skies this weekend with temperatures in the 80s.
