On August 23, 2025, I attended the Columbus Air Show, held at Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio. Although I had only attended one air show before, my understanding of the event was bolstered by a general interest in aviation and the aerospace industry. 

The first thing I did was take a ride in a 1942 Studebaker US6 transport vehicle. The US6 was used by multiple Allied nations in World War II to transport troops and equipment, and was particularly valuable due to its ability to run on low-quality fuel that was present on many frontlines.

After the ride, I walked around the ground displays located further away from the show center. The busiest (and arguably most striking display) was the US Air Force F-22 Raptor, a sleek, advanced fighter jet capable of flying over twice the speed of sound. Recently, the F-22 received publicity for its involvement in the Anchorage, Alaska summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The F-22 is so advanced that it cannot be legally exported to any foreign nation (even American allies), and the machinery used on the F-22 production line was destroyed after production ended to maintain secrecy. Similarly, a US Air Force F-35A drew tens of people attempting to take photos at once! The F-35A is a multirole fighter aircraft, meaning that it is capable of various tasks, including air-to-air combat, ground strikes, and reconnaissance missions. The Department of Defense has invested heavily in the F-35 program, which is expected to last longer than 90 years and cost more than $2 trillion. To wrap up the ground displays, a US Navy P-8 Poseidon made the fighter jets look small. The P-8 is used for maritime surveillance and is capable of conducting anti-submarine warfare.

After seeing all of the ground displays, aerial performances began. Although there were far too many to explain in detail, I’d like to highlight By Request (a P-51 Mustang), the TITAN Aerobatic Team, and, of course, the US Navy Blue Angels. By Request is painted in the iconic red-tailed scheme of the Tuskegee Airmen, a famed group of African-American pilots who were so successful in escorting bombers in their P-51 Mustang fighters that bomber pilots began to request their escort on dangerous missions (this is where the name “By Request” comes from). The P-51 helped to deliver an Allied victory in World War II thanks to its impressive speed and engineering. Next, the TITAN Aerobatic Team in their famous AT-6 Texan aircraft delivered an impressive aerobatic display. The AT-6’s radial engine produces an incredibly unique and interesting sound that significantly adds to the performance. According to TITAN’s website, the group was founded in 1984 and is considered to be one of the US’ premier civilian flying teams. 

To conclude the show, the US Navy Blue Angels performed with their six Boeing F/A Super Hornets and one C-130J transport aircraft (named “Fat Albert”). Although Fat Albert was quite impressive, nothing can compare to the Blue Angels’ formation flying and death-defying stunts. Artur Yun (11) describes the Blue Angels best: “Exhilarating, profound, unlike anything you’ve ever seen.” Blue Angels 1-4 fly in tight formation, sometimes as close as 18 inches from wingtip to canopy, and Blue Angels 5 and 6 perform separate maneuvers, such as lining up opposing each other and passing with minimal separation. 

Altogether, the 2025 Columbus Air Show incredibly showcased aviation history, breathtaking aerobatics, and American military brawn.