Thunderbirds Touch Down at Travis AFB — Wings Over Solano Is Happening Right Now

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds touched down at Travis Air Force Base Thursday. Wings Over Solano is underway right now — gates opened this morning at 9 a.m., and the show runs through Sunday, April 26, both days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Travis AFB in Fairfield, California. Aerial performances kick off at 11 a.m. each day. More than 100,000 attendees are expected across the weekend.

It’s something of a homecoming. The Thunderbirds last headlined Wings Over Solano in 2022 — the 2024 edition belonged to the Blue Angels — and they’re back flying their F-16 Fighting Falcons out of Nellis Air Force Base, bringing the signature six-ship Diamond formation work and solo routines that push the Fighting Falcon to its aerodynamic limits. The team is currently well into a 2026 season spanning more than 50 flight demonstrations across 29 locations nationwide. Wings Over Solano falls between their SUN ‘n FUN run in Lakeland and The Great Texas Air Show at Randolph AFB on May 2–3.

A Stacked Civilian Lineup to Back the Thunderbirds

The Thunderbirds share the bill with a civilian roster that punches well above regional-show weight. Aarron Deliu makes his Travis AFB debut in his Extra 330SC — a Red Bull Air Race competitor bringing razor-sharp knife-edge and rapid-sequence rolling maneuvers to the low-level box. Vicky Benzing flies her P-51 Mustang in a warbird heritage act. Anthony Oshinuga works the Pitts, and Eric Tucker brings his Piper Cub Tucker’s Air Patrol comedy/precision routine.

Then there’s David Costa — the Renegade AV8r — arriving with his TS-11 Iskra, a Polish military jet trainer with more than 50 years of active service behind it and a STEM education mission woven into every performance. Costa confirmed his Travis appearance via social media earlier this week.

The Pink Jet Makes Its Wings Over Solano Debut

One of the weekend’s most-talked-about acts is the all-female crew of The Pink Jet. Pilot Stephanie Goetz and co-pilot Olga Sannikova fly a bright pink L-39 Albatros military trainer, trailing pink smoke on every pass — and this is the aircraft’s first appearance at Wings Over Solano. The jet carries a breast cancer awareness mission. Goetz’s mother is a Stage 3 survivor.

“The bright pink color and pink smoke gets people’s attention and opens the door to conversations that matter — getting people to think about early detection, resources, and support.” — Stephanie Goetz, Pink Jet pilot

“That gives them a chance to see that they too, can do it as well.” — Olga Sannikova, Pink Jet pilot, on inspiring young girls in aviation

Co-founders Vicky Benzing and Heather “Lucky” Penney founded the Pink Jet program — Benzing pulling double duty this weekend with her own P-51 act. The team has already signaled plans to return for Wings Over Solano 2028.

Formation Teams, Heavies, and Home Iron

The Sukhoi West Demo Team brings a pair of Su-26s. The Red Thunder Airshows team flies two Yak-50s. Travis’s own flight line contributes the static and flyby muscle — a C-5M Super Galaxy, C-17A Globemaster III, and KC-46A Pegasus. The USAFA Wings of Blue parachute team and the USAFA Glider Demo Team round out the military presence. Planes of Fame is sending their F4U Corsair, P-38 Lightning, and SBD Dauntless for the warbird contingent. Mike McFarland calls the action from the announcer’s booth; Schultz Airshows is providing the professional air boss.

Getting In — What You Need to Know Today

All public entry is through the Hospital Gate via Air Base Parkway. The Main Gate and North Gate are restricted to DoD ID holders. Inbound traffic closes at 3:30 p.m. both days — don’t push it. All adults 18 and older need valid ID, and all vehicles are subject to search. Free electric shuttle service runs from the Fairfield–Vacaville train station starting at 9 a.m., with return service beginning at 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free; bring cash for concessions.

The show carries an America 250 theme — a nod to the nation’s 250th anniversary — making 2026 a meaningful year for a biennial event that draws from across the full Bay Area and Sacramento Valley. If you’re on the fence: the Thunderbirds don’t come back here until 2028 at the earliest.

Sources

• ABC10 Sacramento — Thunderbirds, Wings Over Solano Traffic Advisory