‘Wings Over Whiteman’ Air Show 2022 Canceled
According to an announcement made Jan. 4, Whiteman Air Force Base has canceled its Wings Over Whiteman Air and Space Show, which was tentatively scheduled for June 2022.
Base officials canceled the event due to “competing mission priorities,” according to a press release.
"For now, Whiteman Air Force Base will focus our resources on executing nuclear operations and global strike…anytime, anywhere," the statement read.
“This decision was not made lightly, as we know many of our service members, their families and our surrounding communities look forward to such an exciting event,” said Col. Daniel Diehl, 509th Bomb Wing commander. “We plan to devote the next few years to creating the best possible airshow experience for all participants and visitors in 2024."
The press release went on to say that Whiteman AFB plans to host the next “Wings Over Whiteman Air and Space Show” in 2024.
So it looks like it will be about two-and-a-half years before you can expect to see another air show at Whiteman. The last one happened June 15, 2019. So that's a time span of five years with no air show at Whiteman.
There are other options, however.
The Spirit of St. Louis Air Show is scheduled for June 11-12 in Chesterfield.
The Tarkio “Greatest Little Air Show” is scheduled for July 9 at the Gould Peterson Municipal Airport in Tarkio.
The Kansas City Air Show is scheduled for Sept. 3-4 at New Century Air Center in Gardner Kansas.
The McConnell Air Force Base Air Show and Open House is scheduled for Sept. 24-25 om Wichita, Kan.
If you're inclined to drive to Arkansas, there's the Wings Over Bryant Air Show scheduled for June 25 at the Saline County Regional Airport in Bryant, Ark., and the North Little Rock Air Show, scheduled for Oct. 21-22.
There's four air shows slated for Illinois in 2022.
There's the TMB Avenger Reunion at the Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru, Illinois May 20-21, There's the “Cavalcade of Planes” at the Bolingbrook Airport June 4-5. There's “Wings Over Mattoon” at the Coles County Airport Aug. 20. And there's the Chicago Air & Water Show at Lake Michigan Waterfront Aug. 20-21.
If you like your air show mixed with pyrotechnics, go see the Dubuque Air Show and Fireworks July 3 at “Lock & Dam #11” on the Mississippi River.
If you happen to be driving to Oklahoma on the first of October, don't miss the Altus Air Force Base Open House and Air Show.
If you want to see the USAF Thunderbirds in 2022, there are about 33 dates scheduled at various air shows across the US.
The United States Navy Blue Angels also have exactly 33 dates scheduled at air shows around America.
This all according to milavia.net.
For more information on future WAFB events, go to https://www.facebook.com/wingsoverwhiteman/.
For up-to-date information, visit www.whiteman.af.mil or contact 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs at (660) 687-5727 or by email via 509bw.public.affairs@us.af.mil.