PHOTOS: See The Air Force Thunderbirds Refuel Midair Ahead Of Chicago Air And Water Show

SOMEWHERE OVER OHIO — A KC-135 refueling tanker took off from Gary Jet Center Thursday morning with Illinois Air National Guardsmen and members of the media for a midwestern jaunt.

Their destination? To rendezvous with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds somewhere between Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Their purpose? To refuel a fleet of Thunderbirds as they made their way to the annual Chicago Air and Water Show.

KC-135 pilot Patrick Burke, a Schaumburg native, grew up coming to the city to see the show and that sparked his interest in aviation. Now, Burke is helping bring the main show to his hometown.

“It’s fantastic, I love coming home,” Burke said.

Pilots Patrick Burke and Brad Rodgers aboard an Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker en route to refuel the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team over Ohio as they flew to the Chicago Air and Water Show on Aug. 17, 2023.

Spectators can watch the renowned aerial demonstrations that have become a staple of the city’s summer Saturday and Sunday. The performances can be viewed from Fullerton Avenue to Oak Street along the Lakefront, with North Avenue Beach serving as the show center. Rehearsals will take place Friday.

This year’s headliners include the Thunderbirds and U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights. The Thunderbirds are returning to Chicago for the first time since 2018 with solo flying and aerobatic formations in their F-16C Fighting Falcons.

The Golden Knights will perfect their landings from 12,000 feet in the sky to target landings on North Avenue Beach.

The Thunderbirds promise a performance like none other, Lt. Col. Justin Elliott said.

“What you’re gonna see this weekend is the tightest formations that the Thunderbirds have ever flown closest to the crowd and the absolute best show you’ve ever seen,” Elliott said. “Chicago is known in the airshow community… as kind of the Mecca. It is the hard one. It is the big one.”

The sheer vertical height of the skyline — and “the Chicago wind” — drastically changes the team’s show, Elliott said.

“But it’s absolutely worth it, because it’s a big city and it’s right on the shore and you got a huge diverse population that we can reach,” Elliott said.

See more photos from the refueling and tarmac:

MSGT Deker Lankford refuels the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team over Ohio from an Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker as they flew to the Chicago Air and Water Show on Aug. 17, 2023.

An Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker after refueling the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team is refueled over Ohio.

Crew members cover their ears as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team lands at the Gary Jet Center.

Lt. Col. Justin Elliott poses next to his U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds jet at the Gary Jet Center.

Lt. Col. Justin Elliott demonstrates his U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds jet.

MSGT Deker Lankford refuels the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team over Ohio.

The view from the refueling boom control area aboard an Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker on Aug. 17, 2023.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team lands at the Gary Jet Center.

Gary, Indiana as seen from the cockpit of an Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker on Aug. 17, 2023.

Aboard an Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker on Aug. 17, 2023.

MSGT Deker Lankford refuels the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team meets up with Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker for refueling.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds team preps for refueling.

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PHOTOS: See The Air Force Thunderbirds Refuel Midair Ahead Of Chicago Air And Water Show

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