The Guardians of Freedom Airshow (lincolnairshow.com) is one of the Midwest’s premier aviation events with an established tradition and reputation. Partnering together, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, 155th Air Refueling Wing of the Nebraska National Guard, 55th Wing of Offutt Air Force Base and the Lincoln Airport Authority will coordinate this family-friendly community event to offer new and unique performers, stunts, exhibits and displays.
Headlining the 2023 airshow will be the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration team. The airshow is expected to welcome over 250,000 people to Lincoln for the two day event!
In 1946 the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Chester Nimitz, had a vision to create a flight exhibition team in order to raise the public’s interest in naval aviation and boost Navy morale. In the 1940’s, the Navy thrilled audiences with their precision combat maneuvers in the F6 Hellcat, the F8 Bearcat and the F9 Panther. During the 1950’s, the Navy refined their demonstration with aerobatic maneuvers in the F9 Cougar and F-11 Tiger and introduced the first six-plane delta formation, still flown to this day. By the end of the 1960’s, they were flying the F-4 Phantom, the only two seat aircraft flown by the delta formation. In 1974, the Navy transitioned to the A-4 Skyhawk, a smaller and lighter aircraft with a tighter turning radius allowing for a more dynamic flight demonstration. In 1986, the Navy celebrated its 40th Anniversary by unveiling the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet. In 2021, they transitioned to their current aircraft the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and celebrated their 75th anniversary.
