After a disappointing cancelation due to record flooding in 2025, Thunder Over Louisville, featuring one of the best airshows in the nation, will return on April 18, 2026. For the past 35 years, one of the most beloved traditions in Louisville has inspired awe in viewers through jet noise and aerobatics. This notable part of the Kentucky Derby Festival is a fan favorite, featuring coordinated team maneuvers and impressive solo displays. While it appears simple on the surface, what most people don’t know is that the highly-decorated 123rd Airlift Wing has been working behind the scenes for nearly a year to bring this spectacle to the skies.
The 123rd Airlift Wing, or 123 AW, is widely accepted as the most decorated unit in the United States Air Force. The unit has won 21 Air and Space Outstanding Unit Awards (including nine consecutive honors), as well as 10 Distinguished Flying Unit Awards, six Curtis N. “Rusty” Metcalf Trophies, and three General Carl A. Spaatz Trophies. The unit was established in 1947, and has operated as a fighter, reconnaissance, and airlift wing. Since 1989, the wing has specialized in tactical airlift, flying the C-130 Hercules.
Lieutenant Colonel Josh Ketterer, Commander of the 123rd Operations Group, has been in charge of planning every detail for Thunder Over Louisville since 2010. Immediately after concluding a show, he begins to plan for the next, reaching out to units across the country and abroad. Each flying unit has a required number of “training hours” each year, and Ketterer must convince them to use some of their training hours to come perform at Thunder.
After scheduling performers, the 123 AW must create a plan for maximum efficiency on the ramp, which is the area on base for parking aircraft. On a normal day, only the eight C-130J aircraft operated by the unit are parked there; with the large number of visiting aircraft, parking can get tight. The 123d Airlift Wing coordinates with Bowman Field, as well as the Fixed Base Operator and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, to ensure there is enough room for everyone.
Security is also a major concern before and during Thunder Over Louisville. Aircraft begin arriving several days in advance of the airshow and depart in the days afterward. The 123d Security Forces Squadron works closely with local law enforcement to ensure safety for the people, and the aircraft on base. The type and age of an aircraft also changes how much security is required. For example, a stealth fighter that is invisible to radar will get more security than a cargo aircraft. Chief Master Seargent Buddy Harned, the Senior Enlisted Leader of the 123d Security Forces Squadron, says that public interest is the biggest challenge, as a lot of people want to see the aircraft before they take off. “[People] want to see the aircraft and come onto base, even if they don’t realize that they have to have a reason to be on a military installation.” While the general public isn’t able to access base, members of the 123d Airlift Wing and their families often take the opportunity to see the aircraft on the ground prior to them performing in the airshow. CMSgt Harned and his crew work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of everyone.
Thunder Over Louisville is a long-lasting tradition in Louisville, dating back to 1991. According to LtCol Ketterer, the purpose of Thunder Over Louisville is “to entertain, inspire, and educate”. It takes the most decorated unit in the Air Force, as well as units from other states and overseas, almost a year to prepare for this highly-anticipated event. It also takes many other people, working behind the scenes, to bring one of Louisville’s most loved traditions to the skies.
Thunder Over Louisville 2026 takes place on Saturday, April 18th, beginning at 3 p.m. notable aircraft flying this year include F-15C Eagles, MV-22 Ospreys, T-33 trainer aircraft, and the F-16 Flight Demonstration Team. The full lineup of aircraft can be found on the official Thunder Over Louisville website: https://thunderoverlouisville.org
