Tens of thousands of people converged on Hickam Air Force base this afternoon in anticipation of the return of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to Hawaiçi skies.

Thousands crowded around the launch area as the six jets prepared for takeoff shortly after 3 p.m.
The pilots performed dozens of high-performance maneuvers over the course of the 40-minute show, including several variations on their classic diamond formation, intentional near-misses at 500 mph, and special-formation tributes to veterans, troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and families of military personnel.
“Amazing, brah,” said Richard Baang, 37, of çEwa Beach. “Just watching it makes you feel patriotic. It’s very uplifting.”
The Thunderbirds will perform again tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Wings Over the Pacific air show.
Maui resident Ben Cacal, 47, was one of hundreds already waiting today when the gates opened at 10 a.m.
Cacal said he flew in from Maui to visit his grandson and attend the air show.
“I’m doing double-duty,” he said, laughing.
To be sure, there was much to keep the gathering crowd entertained while they wait for the F-16 Fighting Falcons to take off.
Thousands withstood 90-degree-plus heat and blazing sun to get an up-close view of the fighter, transport and radar planes on display.
Presenters said the public exhibition is a rare and valuable opportunity for the community to learn more about the personnel and equipment that powers the United State’s military actions.
“Most people in the general public don’t know anything about the military side unless we tell them,” said Cpl. Anthony Akers, who led a demonstration of Canine Section dogs. “This is a very valuable opportunity for us to show what we do.”
While many meandered through the various military displays, others escorted their children to a play area equipped with giant inflatables, stood in line for burgers, pizza and garlic fries, or sought respite beneath the shade of C-130 wings.
Ten-year-old Lisa DeHoff took a turn on the rock-climbing wall, then retired to Lisa Wilson-Pena’s Pampered Princess tent to have her nails done.
Next to the Naval Air Museum booth that her father was manning, the Pampered Princess tent was “the best part of the day,” DeHoff declared.
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