USAF Thunderbirds swoop down in Islip

The Cradle of Aviation Museum and MacArthur Airport celebrate with a spectacular air show

Shana Braff

Posted 6/1/23

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the USAF Thunderbirds landing at L.I. MacArthur Airport, in Ronkonkoma, on Thursday, May 25, shortly after 5 p.m. A crowd of onlookers gathered in …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Attention subscribers

We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.

If you had a login with the previous version of our e-edition, then you already have a login here. You just need to reset your password by clicking here.

If you are a current print subscriber, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.

Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.

USAF Thunderbirds swoop down in Islip

The Cradle of Aviation Museum and MacArthur Airport celebrate with a spectacular air show

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds get ready to headline the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach once again.

IB/Braff

The air show at Jones Beach is likely to have an audience that numbers in the hundreds of thousands, with the beautiful weather and spectacular show.

IB/Braff

The fighter-jet squadron is known for its gravity-defying maneuvers and tight formations, and gave a glimpse of their expertise to spectators in Islip to kick off the holiday weekend.

IB/Braff

The USAF Thunderbirds landed at MacArthur Airport on Thursday to a throng of excited onlookers, craning their necks in awe, on a beautiful early evening.

IB/Braff

The fighter-jet squadron displays what it is known for: its tight formations and impressive aerial maneuvers, honoring our veterans.

IB/Braff

The Thunderbirds swooped through the air, landing from Las Vegas, giving attendees a taste of what they could expect on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, when the Thunderbirds were slated to headline the Air Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in honor of Memorial Day.

IB/Braff

Posted Wednesday, May 31, 2023 12:00 am

Shana Braff

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the USAF Thunderbirds landing at L.I. MacArthur Airport, in Ronkonkoma, on Thursday, May 25, shortly after 5 p.m. A crowd of onlookers gathered in anticipation, as Islip Town supervisor Angie Carpenter and members of the town board welcomed the Thunderbirds in advance of another Memorial Day Air Show at Jones Beach, sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

This gave the Town of Islip the ideal opportunity to announce a new partnership between the Cradle of Aviation Museum and Long Island MacArthur Airport, designed to inspire students to consider career pathways in aviation and aerospace.

Airport commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken, deputy commissioner Robert Schneider, and New York State Parks staff were on hand during the awesome aerial team’s arrival. Also in attendance were educators from the Cradle of Aviation, as well as educators and JROTC students in the Air Force from Brentwood High School.

The Thunderbirds swooped through the air, giving attendees a taste of what they could expect on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, when the fighter jet squadron was slated to headline the Air Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in honor of Memorial Day.

The Thunderbirds are known for their gravity-defying maneuvers and tight formations, and gave a glimpse of their expertise to spectators in Islip to kick off the holiday weekend.