KERN COUNTY, Calif. — The Edwards Air Force Base hasn't put on an air show in 11 years.The next one was planned for this week, and then COVID-19 hit. But, as 23ABC's Kallyn Hobmann shows us, they’re putting on a virtual air show that you can watch from the comfort of your own home Friday and Saturday.
"We’re going to be down at a thousand feet so that’s pretty low. Especially some of the bigger planes like the bombers, those are going to look awesome. The fighters, there’s usually going to be more than one fighter, you know, formation so that’s going to look really cool," said Air Show Director Tom Stuart.
He said you would usually go to the base to see the show but due to COVID-19, this event will have virtual tours of aircraft and a livestream of a flyover at avairshow.com.
“Just showed how well everybody cooperated and innovated together to find those digital platforms that we’re able to take advantage of in 2020, and I think really leverage them to get kids the STEM engagement that they need and the air show out to the people in a different format," said Stuart.
You can also step outside and see the show from your backyard. Click here to see when the flyovers will be visible from each city.
412th Test Wing Commander Matt Higer said many other air shows were canceled in light of the pandemic, but Edwards was determined to still make theirs happen.
"We have people here that think agilely and that innovation is just part of what we do. So finding a way to pick up the pieces of what we had planned and form by what had to be because of our response the pandemic was really a natural extension of the thought process and the culture here at Edwards," said Brigadier General Higer.
He also said the main goal is to inspire children and open their eyes to new opportunities they may want to explore some day.
"The emphasis for the air show and for the nation has always been bringing technology and excitement about the military in general, the air force and the space force and airplanes, to kids, and try to incite them or excite about doing things that is STEM," said Brigadier General Higer.
