Columbus, Ohio – Six U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, performed the “Delta Burst” maneuver during the Columbus Air Show at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base on June 21, 2026.

Video filmed by Airman 1st Class Samir Harris shows the six aircraft flying in a tight delta formation above the air show. The single-engine fighters, painted in the squadron’s signature red, white, and blue colors, approach low and at high speed before beginning the maneuver.

At the apex of the formation, the jets suddenly separate in precise high-speed breaks. The aircraft peel away in multiple directions as contrails carve across the sky.

The Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force’s premier flight demonstration squadron, use these performances to display the skill, discipline, and capabilities of American airpower to audiences across the country.

The Delta Burst is one of the team’s signature routines, highlighting the pilots’ mastery of formation flying and the agility of the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Held at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, the 2026 Columbus Air Show featured aerial demonstrations and static displays. The event drew thousands of spectators eager to witness modern military aviation, strengthen connections with the armed forces, and inspire the next generation of aviators.

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