A joint performance by the U.S. and French air forces will headline the Bayshore Air Show this weekend. For many pilots, the event is more than a showcase of skill—it is a chance to inspire young spectators who dream of flying.
“We were all those kids once, standing at the fence and watching the jets,” said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Moore of the U.S. Air Force Eagles during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The Bayshore Air Show is one of the area’s largest summer events. Ten miles of beachfront become a stage for fighter jets, stunt teams, and other aircraft flying at high speeds, executing close formations and intricate maneuvers above the shore.
This year, the Air Show marks the 250th anniversary of American independence with a joint display by the U.S. Air Force Eagles and the Patrouille Tricolore, the French Air and Space Force’s aerobatic team. The event is part of the French team’s “Liberty 250” tour, which runs throughout June.
Mission commander Charles Bernard described the tour as a tribute to the shared history between France and the United States, from the Revolutionary War to both World Wars. Bernard pointed to American pilots who volunteered for France before the U.S. entered World War I, including the Lafayette Squadron, first deployed to the front lines in April 1916. “Some gave their lives for Europe, and we remember that,” Bernard said.
The Eagles fly modified F-16s, with changes to allow smoke effects and tighter formations, according to Moore. The Patrouille Tricolore uses Alpha Jets, which train fighter pilots in France, said Capt. Andre Girard.
Moore explained that the Eagles appear in about 30 shows each year. Training is intense, similar to professional sports, with sessions starting in November and running through March, often six days a week.
Girard admitted to feeling awe when seeing the Eagles perform. “We’ve seen them in movies and on TV, but to see it live is something different,” he said. He also noted the scale of the U.S. audience. “Our shows draw up to 40,000 people, but I’ve heard Bayshore expects around 600,000.”
Moore said the Eagles’ mission focuses on recruiting, retaining, and inspiring, especially the children watching from the sand. “We’re thinking of those kids who might look up and wonder if they could do this one day,” he said.
Event organizers encourage visitors to plan ahead, arrive early, and spend the day. “The Air Show is special because you can see it from almost anywhere on our ten-mile coastline,” said Kelly Adams, Bayshore’s communications director. “The main show area is between 12th and 20th Avenues, but every spot along the beach and boardwalk offers a great view.”
The Bayshore Air Show takes place Saturday and Sunday, with performances from noon to 3 p.m. each day. Reserved seating at the show center is available online. Organizers warn of heavy traffic, especially on Saturday morning, and recommend arriving before 9 a.m. A shuttle service runs from the West Bayshore Park and Ride to help with parking.
