News

Thunder Over Dover is just around the corner

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Aaron J. Jenne
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Team Dover is finalizing its preparation for the 2017 Thunder Over Dover Open House, where they intend to showcase U.S. Air Force heritage from World War II to present during the free two-day event August 26-27 at Dover AFB.

This year marks the Air Force’s 70th Anniversary, and the entire year is devoted to “Celebrating our Heritage.” Thunder Over Dover, Team Dover’s first open house in eight years, is an excellent opportunity to share this heritage with the greater Delmarva community. Everyone is welcome.

“We’re going to trace the history of Air Power in the United States Air Force,” said Lt. Col. Todd Walker, 436th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander and 2017 Thunder Over Dover Open House ground boss. “You’re going to get a little bit of World War II all the way up to present day. Not only that, you’re going to get to talk with a lot of folks who have been a part of those eras. They’re going to be out there talking about the history of their planes, and they’ll actually show you around their planes. It’s going to be a historical time.”

Both Saturday’s and Sunday’s schedule are packed with aerial demonstrations including the USAF Thunderbirds, the Army’s Black Daggers parachute team, a P-51D Mustang demonstration and aerial acrobatics. There will also be more than 30 static aircraft displays in addition to the more than 40 displays also available at the Air Mobility Command Museum, which will be open and accessible via free shuttle.

“This is the first Air Show we’ve had in about eight years, and it’s the first time we’ve invited the community onto the actual base in a long time,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Orfe, 2017 Thunder Over Dover Open House director. “The Airmen on base are really excited. They’re looking forward to not only sharing their story with our community and the surrounding population, but it’s a great way to say thank you to the community since they’re such great supporters of the military.”


Event organizers are ready to welcome more than 200,000 guests to participate in a unique behind-the-scenes experience on Dover AFB.

“Come down to Dover AFB and join us for a great Open House,” Orfe said. “It’s free admission, free parking. It’s great fun for all ages. We’ve got a chock-full schedule; there’ll be a plane in the air for almost every minute of the day from approximately 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We’ll have a bunch of static displays that you can climb around in and ask the pilots and aircrews questions about. You’ll get a real up-close look that you won’t be able to get many other places. We’re looking to put on a great show.”

Visitors arriving from the North are invited to park on the installation, accessible through the North Gate. Additional parking is also available at Bergold Farms, 725-929 Bergold Ln, Dover, DE 19962, with a free shuttle service to the main event running every five to 10 minutes. The museum will also be open during the Open House, and a shuttle service will offer free transportation throughout the day.

For a full schedule, list of performers and static displays, maps, and a detailed list of suggested and prohibited items, visit the Thunder Over Dover page at http://dover.af.mil/ThunderOverDover/.