JBER to welcome Blue Angels at Arctic Thunder Open House 2026

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) has announced that it will once again host the biennial Arctic Thunder Open House (ATOH) on August 8-9, 2026, featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels as headliners, marking their first return since 2016, alongside the Army Golden Knights, F-22 Raptor Demo, and Alaska's Joint Forces, celebrating the nation's 250th birthday with spectacular aerials and static displays.

Coinciding with the country’s 250th birthday, the theme this year is “JBER celebrates America’s 250th.”

Flying F/A-18 Super Hornets, the Blue Angels will showcase precision formation flying and high-energy solo maneuvers. Established in 1946, the Blue Angels are one of the nation’s most recognized and celebrated air demonstration teams, performing for millions of spectators across the United States and around the world.

The open house will also feature the U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Golden Knights; the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team; and Alaska’s Joint Forces Demonstration, showcasing the combined capabilities of Airmen and Soldiers who train and operate together daily at JBER.

“Welcoming the Blue Angels to JBER during our country’s 250th birthday is extra exciting since we haven’t hosted them since 2016,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Ryan Murdock, ATOH director in a press release. “Arctic Thunder is an incredible opportunity to open our gates to the public to show them what we do every day up close, while reinforcing community partnerships.”

“A core part of our event is the Alaska Joint Forces Demonstration, which consists of nearly every type of combat aircraft stationed in Alaska alongside the 11th Airborne Division Arctic Angels and Alaska National Guard,” Murdock added. “What makes the event unique is all major components of the joint force train and operate together on a daily basis.”

Held every two years, ATOH is the largest two-day event in Alaska and one of the largest air shows in North America and serves as one of Alaska’s largest public outreach events, offering the public a firsthand opportunity to see Alaska and the United States’ real-world military capability while also inspiring future generations to consider military service.

In 2024, an estimated 260,000 attendees came out to enjoy the event, which included static and ground displays, and aerial performances from the U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Golden Knights; F-16 Viper Demonstration Team; F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, the largest Joint Force Demonstration in North America and a German Air Force Tornado demonstration, along with vendors, a children’s zone and more.

“Arctic Thunder is one of our favorite ways to connect with the community,” Murdock said. “From the aerial performances to static displays and hands-on science, technology, engineering and math exhibits, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy over the weekend. It gives Airmen and Soldiers the chance to shake hands, thank our communities, and inspire youth to pursue future service to our country.”

For more down-to-earth demonstrations, a wide variety of military aircraft, vehicles and equipment from U.S. and partner forces will be on static display. Service members will be available throughout the event to answer questions and explain how their missions contribute to homeland defense and global operations.

Admission and parking for the two-day event are free and open to the public.

Additional details, including confirmed performers and schedules, will be released as planning continues. Updates will be available at www.arcticthunderopenhouse.com.

To learn more about the Blue Angels, visit www.blueangels.navy.mil.