SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The 2024 Warriors Over the Wasatch Air Show is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, and Sunday, June 30 at Hill Air Force Base.
About 20 performers have been announced for the 2024 show, but the lineup is subject to change depending on weather conditions and other factors.
Hill AFB has a list of performers in a PDF on its website, but that list varies slightly from the “2024 Hill Air Show Performers” page on the website.
Here’s what you should know about the acts that were announced and listed online.
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds perform around the world and have been the official air demonstration team of the Air Force since 1953.
“Watch powerful fighter jets elegantly maneuver in the sky with only a few feet separating each wingtip,” the Air Force said. “It’s a multisensory experience that will leave you impressed and inspired.”
The pilots perform routines both solo and in formation, showcasing the “gracefulness of the F-16,” according to the Air Force.
F-35A Demo Team
The F-35A Demo Team is a Utah-based demonstration team, operating at the Beehive State’s very own Hill Air Force Base. The team uses the F-35A Lightning II aircraft in its demonstrations.
“The F-35 is designed to provide the pilot with unsurpassed situational awareness, positive target identification and precision strike in all weather conditions,” the 388th Fighter Wing said in a fact sheet.
The F-35A Demo Team has been scheduled for performances across the United States and Canada throughout 2024.
U.S. Special Operations Command Para-Commandos
The U.S. Special Operations Command Para-Commandos is a parachute demonstration team that is made up of active-duty Special Operators.
“The Para-Commandos tailor each performance to the individual venue, and can perform from as low as 2000 feet above ground level to as high as 13,500 feet above ground level,” the Special Operations Command said.
The Para-Commandos are said to be especially efficient at “landing on time and on target in front of the crowd,” and sometimes jump with flags, sparklers, or smoke.
Firewalkers Pyro
Firewalkers Pyro is a group of pyrotechnic performers that rig explosives and other pyrotechnic effects that promise to be safe and controlled.
“Through the use of High explosives, flammable fuels, and fireworks the team produces stunning displays choreographed perfectly with the flight teams and ground performers,” the Firewalkers said.
The group was first established in 2013, and the members of the team have worked on pyrotechnic shows across the country and around the world.
Melissa Burns
Melissa Burns is an athlete and a stunt performer, as well as a professional aerobatic pilot and display skydiver.
“Melissa was named the Fastest Woman in the World at the World Champion Wingsuit B.A.S.E. Jumping Race in Norway in 2015 and has participated in numerous Skydiving World Records,” her website said.
Burns travels and performs at air shows around the world with her team.
Skip Stewart
Skip Stewart is an award-winning airshow pilot with more than 10,000 hours of flying experience.
“Skip Stewart is the first pilot to fly an airplane under a jumping motorcycle at an Airshow and he also flies with several other pilots forming shows such as the renowned TinStix of Dynamite Act,” his website said.
Stewart has been featured in several magazines for his flying and is slated to perform at several air shows across the country.
Smoke and Thunder
Smoke and Thunder is a performance group that features vehicles called the “JetCar” and the “JetTruck,” and — as their names may suggest — they are vehicles equipped with jet engines.
“Hot Streak II is a twin jet engine 57 Chevy Pickup capable of speeds of 350+MPH entertaining fans across the country for over 20 years,” Smoke and Thunder said online.
The co*ckpits for the JetCar and the JetTruck are custom-built to fit the drivers, and the performers have attended air shows for decades.
Yellow Thunder
Yellow Thunder is an aerobatic demonstration team comprised of two planes that are unrestricted by altitude.
“We are always fine tuning our show to make sure the audience is entertained yet safe,” Yellow Thunder said.
The pilots perform tricks such as rolls, loops, barrel rolls, and a tail chase.
Gregory “Wired” Colyer
Gregory “Wired” Colyer has been flying for almost three decades and earned his license while he was serving in the U.S. Army.
“He holds a Commercial Pilot certificate with instrument, single and multi engine ratings as well as being a Certified Flight Instructor,” according to the Utah Air Show website.
Colyer is originally from California and took his first flight at the age of seven.
Bill Stein
Bill Stein has participated in aerobatic competitions both as a competitor and a judge.
“Bill began flying aerobatics when he was still a student pilot and has been dedicated to perfecting his skills ever since,” his website said.
Stein has more than 7,000 hours of both formation and aerobatic flight and trains every day to maintain his skills.
Bob Freeman
Bob Freeman has been flying aerobatics since 1981 and flew in competitions for more than 33 years.
“Having lived in the intermountain west for 35 years, he has tremendous experience performing in very high density altitude conditions with an outstanding safety record,” his website said.
Freeman has been focused on airshow aerobatics since his retirement.
Rob Holland
Rob Holland first earned his pilot’s license as a teenager and began flying aerobatics soon after getting his license.
“Now in his 21st year as a full-time airshow pilot, Rob has distinguished himself by blazing a trail of innovation, developing maneuvers never before seen at airshows,” his website said.
According to Holland’s website, he has “the single largest social media following of any civilian airshow performer worldwide.”
Brad Wursten
Brad Wursten grew up in Utah and has been performing in airshows and teaching youth about flying.
“His airshow performance is jam packed with one-of-a-kind stunts and maneuvers exclusive to his act,” his website said.
Wursten has flown for nearly 4,000 hours in about 50 different types of aircraft, according to his website.
Tora Tora Tora
Tora Tora Tora is described on its website as a “living history lesson,” during which viewers can watch a reenactment of Dec. 7, 1941 — the day Pearl Harbor was attacked in World War II.
“Since 1972, Tora has committed to increasing military aviation history awareness and honoring those lost during Pearl Harbor, more than any other airshow performance group outside of the U.S. Military teams,” the performance group’s website said.
The group has performed at more than 1,000 air shows according to its website, and will be performing at several more later this year.
Paul “Sticky” Strickand
Paul “Sticky” Strickand has been performing with the Patriots Jet Team since 2006.
“He served as the Slot #4 pilot with the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” and currently flies for Southwest Airlines,” the jet team’s website said.
Strickand is retired from the U.S. Air Force and has 3,000 total fighter hours and 270 combat hours.
Mark Peterson
Mark Peterson received his pilot’s license at the age of 17 and has since flown more than 40 different types of aircraft.
“Owning and flying classic warbirds like the P-51 Mustang, A-37 Dragonfly and Dornier Alpha Jet has been a dream of Mark’s since he was a child,” his website said.
At Warriors Over the Wasatch, Peterson is set to be flying an A-37 Dragonfly.
