Arctic Thunder

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- A Heritage Flight with a P-51 Mustang, F-15, F-22 and A-10 fly over the crowd during Arctic Thunder here Aug. 12. The event drew nearly 136,000 for Elmendorf's 60th open house and air show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jonathan Steffen)

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Arctic Thunder

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - An F-18 Super Hornet belonging to the Navy's Blue Angels speeds past the Anchorage skyline during Arctic Thunder 2006. Nearly 136,000 people attended Elmendorf's 60th air show and open house. The Blue Angels along with the Army's Golden Knights headlined the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Garrett Hothan)

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Arctic Thunder

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- A C-17 Globemaster III from Altus AFB, Okla., was one of 11 military aerial demonstrations wowing crowds at Arctic Thunder 2006, Elmendorf's air show and open house, Aug. 12-13. C-17s are scheduled to start arriving here in the summer of 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Garrett Hothan)

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Arctic Thunder

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- An F-22A hovers in the clouds during Arctic Thunder, Elmendorf's air show and open house, Aug. 13. The Raptor was flown by Maj. Michael "Dozer" Shower, who will become the first commander of the F-22A squadron here in the summer of 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jonathan Steffen)

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Arctic Thunder returns to skies over Elmendorf after year off

Published Aug. 16, 2006
By Staff Sgt. Francesca Popp

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Arctic Thunder 2006 has ended and base officials have deemed it a success.

Aside from a few performance cancellations Saturday, due to inclement weather, the air show and open house appears to have gone smoothly. Nearly 136,000 people, slightly lower than expected overall total attendance, witnessed the Navy's Blue Angels perform their famous diamond formation and other aerial routines. People attending also saw the Army's Golden Knights jump on Sunday.

In the months leading up to Arctic Thunder, Brig. Gen. Hawk Carlisle, 3rd Wing commander, said this would the "greatest air show Alaska has ever seen."
One person who attended the show agreed.

"It's the greatest show on earth in my opinion. I was left in awe of the acrobatics of those wonderful and capable air pilots! I am so glad I didn't miss it this year, it is the one and only show I would take time to fight Anchorage drivers to go and see," he said via an online survey.

The air show committee seeks feedback from people who attended the air show. People can visit www.elmendorf.af.mil/3Wing/Units/PA/AirShow/default.htm and click on the link to take a survey.

The next Arctic Thunder is already being planned for the summer of 2008.