Taking place July 27 and 28 along Milwaukee’s lakefront, the Milwaukee Air & Water Show is one of the summer’s most highly anticipated events.

The Milwaukee Air & Water Show draws nearly 400,000 people to Milwaukee’s lakeshore every year, and has a significant economic impact on the city. The performances also provide the local community with a meaningful understanding about our nation’s armed forces and how to support military veterans.

The Milwaukee Air & Water Show is unique in Milwaukee’s history and provides affordable, wholesome entertainment for the entire family. From its grassroots beginnings in 2002, the air show has grown into Wisconsin’s largest free event. It has been celebrated as a masterpiece of sound and color that showcases the history of air power and provides a forum for educating young people about aviation.

“Year after year the Milwaukee Air & Water Show continues to thrill audiences of all ages,” said Doug Gordon, president and CEO of WaterStone Bank and title sponsor. “As part of our mission to continually give back to the communities we serve, we are proud to honor and support our armed forces and military veterans.”

Organizers announced that the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as The Thunderbirds, will headline the 2019 program. The squadron has performed for more than 280 million people in all 50 states and 57 foreign countries over the course of its 66-year history.

The Thunderbirds headlined the 2018 Air & Water Show and will return this summer with six demonstration pilots flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The Thunderbirds perform a series of approximately 40 maneuvers at nearly 80 air demonstrations throughout the United States each year.

2019 marks a special visit for the demonstration squadron with Medford, Wisconsin native Air Force Captain Michelle Curran. He will fly the Thunderbird #6 “Opposing Solo” Jet during the air show performance. Captain Curran is only the fifth female pilot flying for the USAF Thunderbirds.

A new military performance will include the U.S. Air Force F-35A “Lightning II” Demo Team. For the very first time spectators can see a special USAF F-35, F-16, F-22, P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight Formation, honoring the contributions of every man and woman who has served in the USAF.

The 2019 Milwaukee Air & Water Show line-up will also feature other world-class military and civilian aviation performers, such as the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team, U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk Helicopter, Wisconsin Air National Guard members, “Milwaukee’s Hometown Air Force,” from the 128th Air Refueling Wing flying the Boeing KC-135, alongside an F-16 Falcon, Firebirds X-treme Aerobatic Team featuring Rob Holland and Jack Knutson, and an Army National Guard LACOTA UH-72 Helicopter ground display.

Water Show acts will include the Badgerland Water Ski Team and Muskego Waterbugs Water Ski Teams, who will show off their aquatic acrobatics, as well as the Fox Lake Harbor Powerboat Formation Demonstration Squadron. The Milwaukee Fireboat and the U.S. Coast Guard Jayhawk Rescue Helicopter demonstration will show the crowd the Coast Guard’s detailed skill when dealing with crisis situations on the water.

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