LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Over 10,000 spectators found their way to Laughlin Air Force Base to witness the 2026 Fiesta of Flight Airshow and STEM Expo March 28.
Headlining this year was the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, and this show marked the second show off the season for the newly certified commander, Maj. Sean Loughlin.
In conjunction with the airshow, Laughlin partnered with local elementary schools, including San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District and Del Rio’s Gerardo J. Maldonado Career & Technical Education (CTE) Center, hosting Laughlin’s second Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Expo the day prior to the airshow, March 27.
The STEM Expo provided a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, and career field demonstrations. The STEM Expo transformed into display exhibits March 28 for the public to view during the Airshow.
The airshow kicked off with a 4-ship dissimilar formation flyover unique to the pilot training airframes of Laughlin AFB comprised of the T-6A Texan II and T-38C Talon.
Static displays included the CV-22 Osprey, C-17 Globemaster, C-130J Super Hercules, F-16 Fighting Falcon, T-38 Talon, T-6 Texan II, OA-1K Skyraider, BT-13 Valiant, C-45 Expeditor, U-3 Cessna, Civil Air Patrol Cessna 182, Extra 300- Vans RV-8, Life Flight, TB-30 Epsilon.
Additionally, Fiesta of Flight featured performances by the U.S. Air Force Band of the West, the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachute team, C-47 That’s All Brother, Adam Baker Extra 300, Redline, Ace Maker, Trojan Phylers, Randy Ball, Warbirds, Bro Show, Mini Jet and Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Car.
“This year’s Fiesta of Flight airshow paid special homage to the aviation heritage at Laughlin Air Force Base,” said Maj. Neal Molzon, Fiesta of Flight Airshow Director. “We wanted to both showcase our history to the community as well as open the base up to inspire the next generation of aviators.
In celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America, the Fiesta of Flight airshow patch showcased the 250th year theme and the famous silhouette of the bridge over Lake Amistad.
“Thank you to all of Team XL for making this event a success,” said Molzon. “From the planning team to all the community members, vendors, sponsors, squadrons and volunteers, without your help we couldn’t have pulled off an event like this!”
The next airshow Laughlin intends to host will be Fiesta of Flight 2028.