Which New Jersey attraction can consistently attract more than 100,000 people?
A free Springsteen concert? A Star Wars convention?
How about the “Power in the Pines” Open House and Air Show hosted by Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL)?
This bi-annual weekend attraction returns to New Jersey on May 17-18 – rain or shine.
Historically, the “Power in the Pines” has always attracted huge crowds – usually well north of 100,000 – and this year figures to be no different.
“We are expecting about 125,000 people,” said Lt. Col. Matt Mattson, the Open House and Air Show Director for the 87th Air Base Wing Commander. Mattson has 18 years of service in the Air Force and moved with his “family of four people and two dachshunds” to the Joint Base in late 2023.
Moving 125,000 visitors around the Joint Base can be more than challenging given the security needs at the base and the rural roads prevalent in the area.
‘We are working to cut the wait time and the long lines for attendees,” said Mattson. “This year we are tripling our capacity for security clearances. We will keep traffic flowing into the base with no stopping and we are working with the New Jersey Department of Transportation, the state police, and local law enforcement to keep the cars on the roads moving.”
Mattson emphasized that parking will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
This year’s air show will boast two firsts – it will be live streamed and there will be an electronic RSVP capability for attendees.
“The live-stream will be a narrated show with commentary describing what is going on,” said Mattson. “The electronic RSVP will be available in late March, and it will link to a ticketing platform. It does not provide you with a reservation but if you provide an email address, we will send you updated details about the event beforehand and about traffic and parking on the days of the event.”
This year’s air show is headlined by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, considered the Air Force’s premier air demonstration team. They have been wow-ing crowds with their extraordinary flying maneuvers since 1953. This is the first Thunderbird appearance at the Joint Base in years.
“They are the whole package,” said Mattson. ‘They are tightly run, and they do precision flying that requires control and synchronization. We are excited to have them at this year’s show.”
Other elements of the air show are still being planned, but guests can expect to see an in-air refueling demo by the massive KC46 Pegasus, a demonstration by the Air Force’s “Wings of Blue” parachute team, and a demonstration of the capabilities of marine helicopters.
The air show will also feature an array of classic and historic aircraft both on the ground and in the air.
Because all the service branches are represented in some form at the Joint Base, a greater variety of aircraft and capabilities can be displayed at the show.
“This is an Air Force show, but we bring in all of our service partners to participate – the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines – even the Space Force,” said Mattson. “We are looking to have all of the service branches involved.”
While the air show gets the bulk of the headlines, the open house portion of the event should not be overlooked.
All along the flightline (the area where guests will watch the air show), guests will be able to see and, in many cases, walk through aircraft on static display there. The flightline will also feature vendor tents, activities for children and food and beverages available for purchase.
Mattson notes there will be a special STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) area as part of the open house.
“We will work with our educational institution partners,” he said, “so kids can experience what is going on in technology and see what could be on the other side of their education such as the application of technologies in the business world.”
Gates at the Joint Base will open at 9 a.m. on both days. The air show is scheduled to begin around noon.
There is no charge to attend the event.
“I urge everyone to come early,” Mattson said. “We can only accommodate so many people in one day and we will likely reach full capacity by late morning. There will be a lot to see and to experience all day.”
To stay abreast of the latest “Power in the Pines” Open House and Air Show news, visit the Joint Base webpage or its Facebook page.
