Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD), the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo and Western Celebration, announces the United States Air Force Thunderbirds will return to the 129th annual “Daddy of ’em All” for a special weekend performance on Saturday, July 26.

Traditionally held midweek, the aerial demonstration team will headline the Wings Over Warren Airshow from 11 a.m. to noon during this year’s Saturday showcase. The team’s elite pilots perform aerial maneuvers with just inches between wingtips, demonstrating the capabilities of the U.S. Air Force, which made their first public appearance at CFD in 1953.

By moving the show to Saturday, the Thunderbirds are hoping a larger crowd will be able to attend, as well as increase opportunities for the Thunderbirds to interact with CFD customers both on the park and at our downtown events.

Held at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, directly adjacent to Frontier Park, this free public event offers rodeo-goers and aviation fans the chance to witness the aerial showcase. The one-hour airshow will also feature a lineup of aircraft and skydivers, and attendees will be treated to food trucks, inflatable games, and static displays of Blackhawk and Huey helicopters.

“The Thunderbirds are a cherished part of the Cheyenne Frontier Days tradition,” said Colonel Jonathan Esses. “We’re thrilled to bring this incredible experience to fans on a Saturday – making it even more accessible to more visitors attending CFD events.”

The show is drive-in style, with all public access through Roundtop Road. Valid photo ID is required, and vehicles are subject to security checks. Distinguished Visitors with a valid pass may use Gate 5 on Central Avenue for designated DV parking.

F.E. Warren Air Force Base will be hosting the Wings Over Warren Airshow on July 22, 2020.

Headlined by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the show will also include demonstrations from the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II demonstration teams and appearances by the B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, C-130 Hercules and B-52 Stratofortress.

“This year’s airshow is not only an opportunity to highlight United States Air Force airpower and the capabilities of all our military services, but to say ‘thank you’ to our neighbors in Cheyenne and throughout Wyoming,” Col. Peter Bonetti, 90th Missile Wing commander said. “The community has always provided incredible support for F.E. Warren’s mission and our Airmen.”

For more information on the airshow and access to base, please visit warren.af.mil or the F.E. Warren Facebook Page.

For any questions regarding this release, please contact the 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs Office at (307) 773-3381.

By Senior Airman Braydon Williams, 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs

F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. —  A presence of achievement fills the room, with walls covered in patches and awards of all sorts. Lt. Col. Chris Picinni, 90th Operation Support Squadron director of operations has led a 20-year career within the ICBM enterprise, but never thought he would be leading the charge in planning an airshow for the USAF Thunderbirds.

It started all started at a very early time in Picinni’s life, when his father served in the Air Force working electronic counter measures, during the Vietnam War, from then on, he knew the air force was right for him.

“Growing up with my dad enlisted in the Air Force, is what drove my desire to serve as well,” said Picinni. “His work on aircraft made me fall in love with the idea of flying and I had the goal of becoming a pilot.”

Soon after commissioning through ROTC in June 1999, Picinni’s plan to become a pilot was halted due to his vision not meeting Air Force standards.

“With my eyes not being quite good enough to fly, I ended up choosing missile operations and became a missileer.” Said Picinni

Picinni executed the primary mission of Air Force missileers from 2000 to 2004 when he moved between a few different duties before becoming a part of the Airborne Command Post on the U.S. Navy E6-B Mercury.

The ABNCP primarily functions as a communications relay platform for U.S. Navy submarines, it also serves as an Airborne Launch Control System. The ALCS is joint-manned by U.S. STRATCOM battle staff mission members from the Navy and Air Force.

“It took me 15 years in the Air Force to get the chance to fly, and it was on a Navy plane, but I made it,” said Picinni. “I served as the mission commander and was in charge of the battle staff for 4 years.”

When Picinni finished his tour with the E6B, he later moved to F.E. Warren AFB as the 90th OSS DO, where he was selected as the project officer for the annual Thunderbirds airshow during Cheyenne Frontier Days the world’s largest outdoor rodeo and wester festival.

“I was put up for this by Lt. Col. Christopher Maroney the former commander of OSS,” said Picinni. “He recommended me and from the looks of it, base leadership agreed with him that I was right for the job.”

2019 marks the first year in 25 years that the Thunderbirds will be flying in the skies above F.E. Warren, instead of the fields around Laramie County Community College.

“Air show planning is a very involved process,” said Picinni. “I’ve been working with people from all walks of Air Force life, from civil engineers and helicopter pilots to security forces and vehicle operators. Every person I’ve worked with as been vital to getting this airshow up and running, and I am grateful for their hard work.”