Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

A Kentucky Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transport plane approaches the show box during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The plane and crew airdropped two bundles of cargo into the Ohio River to demonstrate the Hercules’ airlift capabilities. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

A Kentucky Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transport plane approaches the show box during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The plane and crew airdropped two bundles of cargo into the Ohio River to demonstrate the Hercules’ airlift capabilities. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

A Kentucky Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transport plane airdrops two bundles of cargo into the Ohio River during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Two bundles of cargo descend to the Ohio River after being airdropped by a Kentucky Air National Guard C-130 Hercules transport plane during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Combat controllers and pararescuemen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron jump from a Kentucky Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter into the Ohio River during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The demonstration displays techniques the Airmen use when recovering downed personnel or executing a covert insertion into enemy territory. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Combat controllers and pararescuemen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron jump from a Kentucky Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter into the Ohio River during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The demonstration displays techniques the Airmen use when recovering downed personnel or executing a covert insertion into enemy territory. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

A joint squad from the Kentucky National Guard present the colors to kick off the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Military aircraft slated for participation in the Thunder Over Louisville air show line the tarmac at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The Kentucky Air Guard once again served as the base of operations for all military aircraft participating in the annual show. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

A vapor cloud forms around the fuselage of a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet during the fighter jet’s demonstration in the Thunder Over Louisville air show over downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. Vapor clouds form because air passing over the aircraft at high speeds begins to condense as the temperature drops below the dew point. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

The Trojan Horsemen T-28 Demo Team performs aerobatic stunts during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

The Trojan Horsemen T-28 Demo Team performs aerobatic stunts during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Crowds line the Kentucky bank of the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016, during the Thunder Over Louisville air show. The event drew 725,000 spectators. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Matt Younkin performs aerobatic stunts with his Twin Beech 18 aircraft during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Matt Younkin performs aerobatic stunts with his Twin Beech 18 aircraft during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Matt Younkin performs aerobatic stunts with his Twin Beech 18 aircraft during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Matt Younkin performs aerobatic stunts with his Twin Beech 18 aircraft during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Matt Younkin performs aerobatic stunts with his Twin Beech 18 aircraft during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

A pair of U.S. Marine Corps UH-1 Huey helicopters demonstrate their capabilities during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Pilots from the U.S. Marine Corps showcase the capabilities of the AH-1 Super Cobra (left) and UH-1 Huey helicopters during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet fighter jets perform during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet fighter jets approach the show box during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

The pilot of a Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet demonstrates the fighter jet’s advanced tactical capabilities during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators to the banks of the Ohio River. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron recover combat controllers and pararescuemen from the Ohio River after a demonstration of their capabilities during the Thunder Over Louisville air show in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 23, 2016. The event drew an estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Maj. Dale Greer)

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Thunder air show draws 725,000 to banks of the Ohio River

Published May 2, 2016
By 123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- An estimated crowd of 725,000 spectators lined the banks of the Ohio River here April 23 for the annual Thunder Over Louisville air show, organizers said, watching aerial performances by a variety of military and civilian aircraft and the largest fireworks display in North America.

Highlights of the show included a demonstration by the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornet, a C-130 Hercules cargo airdrop executed by members of the Kentucky Air National Guard and a special operations demonstration by the Kentucky Air Guard's 123rd Special Tactics Squadron.

The Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville once again served as the base of operations for all military aircraft participating in the air show, providing logistical and maintenance support.