Photos: Thunderbirds fill sky at Beale AFB as base holds first airshow in years

The roar of the Thunderbirds filled the sky Saturday over Beale Air Force Base, long known for the more clandestine surveillance and recon missions of the U.S. Air Force.

The Air & Space Expo is Beale’s first air show in seven years. It concludes Sunday.

In addition to the Air Force’s premier demonstration team, the show also features the U-2 Dragon Lady and the T-38 Talon — planes based at Beale — along with aerial exhibitions that include the MV-22 Osprey, the U.S. Navy F-18 Rhino Demo Team, and a KC-135 Stratotanker.

On the ground, the show features displays of the new collaborative combat aircraft that were recently assigned to the base.

Admission to the event is free The final day of the show opens Sunday at 9 a.m., with aerial performances beginning around noon and concluding at 4 p.m. Attendees must be in line to park by 1:30 p.m., when the gates close.