The Patrouille de France is coming to American skies this weekend for the first time in nearly four decades. The legendary French aerobatic team will headline the Ocean City Air Show—a historic pairing that marks the official kickoff of the French Air and Space Force’s “Liberté 250” tour, celebrating 250 years since American independence.
The 19th annual OC Air Show runs June 13–14, 2026, along the Ocean City, Maryland boardwalk between 12th and 20th streets. The headliners: the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Patrouille de France—a combination not seen since 1986, the last time the French team conducted a full public display tour across American airspace.
Both days, performances run from noon through 3 p.m. The boardwalk viewing area is free, but premium seating packages start at $60 and go up to $600. Options include “Sand Boxes,” “VIP Penthouse,” “Flight Line Club,” and “Drop Zone Beach.”
What You’ll See — Two Nations, One Sky
The Thunderbirds will fly their signature F-16 Fighting Falcons, running through high-speed formation passes and solo aerobatic sequences. The real draw is the Patrouille de France—nine Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets configured in their classic eight-ship diamond formation, plus one replacement airframe.
The French aircraft sport commemorative markings for this mission: an American flag on one side, a French tricolor on the other. Their display is a clinic in precision. Aileron rolls, barrel rolls, opposition passes—all executed between 300 and 800 km/h with aircraft mere meters apart. Athos 1, 2, 6, and 8 will trail blue smoke; Athos 3, 4, 5, and 7 will trail red.
The F-35A Lightning II Demo Team also headlines, showing off the stealth fighter’s vertical climb and tactical moves. The full lineup includes the West Point Parachute Team, U.S. Army UH-72 Lakota demo, Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin search-and-rescue show, and vintage warbirds—including the B-25 Mitchell “Panchito.”
Tour Scale and Logistics
The French deployment is no small undertaking: 85 aviateurs, nine Alpha Jets, and an Airbus A400M Atlas transport departed Salon-de-Provence on June 3. They crossed the Atlantic via Reykjavik, Kangerlussuaq, Iqaluit, Goose Bay, and Bagotville before touching down at Stewart Air Force Base on June 7. The full contingent reached Wallops Flight Facility on Wednesday, June 11—after symbolic flyovers on June 9 that traced Franco-American history, passing over West Point, the Statue of Liberty, and Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Eight months of planning went into this mission. It marks the first full U.S. tour by the Patrouille since 2017, which itself ended a 31-year gap stretching back to their last American appearance in 1986.
“The 250th celebration clearly makes the 19th annual Air Show Ocean City unique and extremely special,” said Chris Dirato, the show’s public relations director. “Since air shows inherently are patriotic in nature, it’s an opportunity to come out and wave the red, white, and blue, while watching those who protect our freedom every day.”
What’s Next
The Liberté 250 tour runs through July 5, with confirmed stops at NAS Pax River Air Expo, Maryland Fleet Week & Fly Over Baltimore, and a July 4 finale in New York. The Patrouille will participate in naval and aerial parades celebrating the Declaration of Independence anniversary.
Weather and military schedules could affect Sunday’s flight sequence. Show up early—the 10-mile Ocean City beach is the primary viewing area.
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