Scenes from the 2026 Rose City Airfest
Every year, we are graced with a pair of airshows out here in East Texas, put on by the great folks over at CampV. I was especially pumped for this year’s Rose City Airfest out in Tyler, as they had booked an F-4 Phantom II, a venerated multirole jet in its waning years of airworthiness. Unfortunately, rumors had been swirling for weeks that it was suffering from engine issues - sure enough, it was grounded for the show with the promise of headlining next year’s show. All good, as there was still a fantastic lineup highlighted by a trio of F-18 Hornets flown by the Cowboys of VMFA-112 and the F-16 Viper Demo Team headed by Major “FEMA Hiester. This year’s full lineup here.
Our day started with the standard walkabout among the static displays - some from the H.A.M.M. at Tyler Pounds Airport, and some from the day’s performers.
The iconic single Philips screw that holds the entire F-18 Hornet together =)
Cracking the window on the Skyhawk before the show
Front towards enemy
Love the aluminum skin on the Starfighters
Flight control surfaces have come a long way from the 1950s!
Finding patterns and textures among the warbirds
Randy Ball sharing his MiG with the attendees and signing some swag to boot
Bandit on the tarmac
Immaculate details on Randy’s MiG
1611’s details
Ready to strap on and strap in
Hornet details
Stylish v-stabs
FEMA’s ride
ZEUS 95 memorial on the nose for the fallen crew of the KC-135 that went down over Iraq this March
Slice of Americana
When a bird turns into a parade float
And the show has started…everyone watching the REMAX skydiving team enter the box
Jumper 1 incoming!
Flying the Rose City Airfest banner
Picking his spot for landing
Lone Star incoming
Old Glory rounds out the start to the show
A trio of Cowboys perform a sneak pass at the conclusion of the National Anthem
Hornet in profile
Russell Armstrong warms up his L-39 with a classic Thunderbirds livery
Quick fly-by from show left…
And another from show right
How much to sit in that open backseat next year, Russell?!
Rick Boone and a buddy whizzing by
C-17 showing off its rotund belly while turning sharper than it has any right to
KC-135 tanker with a dirty pass
The SCREAMIN' SASQUATCH stole the show…ever seen a jet engine bolted onto the bottom of a bi-plane? Me neither!
KC Flight Team with an 11-plane formation!
Kevin Coleman of the Red Bull Air Force might be a little addicted to pulling negative Gs
The Skyhawk proved it was the muscle car of this show - loud, fast, and super aggressive passes, a great performance
Showing his belly off
Low, slow, and dirty
And now for the main event!
Afterburner = ON
Violent speed right off the start
And we’ve got vapor!
FEMA coming in HOT
Mid-snap-roll
Airbrakes fluttering in the breeze
FEMA showing off with an inverted pass
One of the most striking silhouettes in all of aviation
FEMA leaving us in his wake
FEMA on his way to meet up for the Heritage Flight
Viper and Tiger united for the Heritage pass
I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some of the sights from the 2026 Rose City Airfest! While I don’t shoot many airshows, it’s always a treat to get to flex that photographic muscle. Would love to know which shot is your favorite in the comments.
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