2025 Heritage Flight Training Course
Past and present warfighters over the skies of Davis-Monthan AFB
Report and photos by Steven Valinski
March 26, 2025
TUCSON, Ariz. — The skies above Davis-Monthan Air Force Base roared to life from February 28 to March 2 as the 2025 Heritage Flight Training Course brought together an awe-inspiring blend of aviation history and cutting-edge technology. Against the backdrop of Arizona’s sun-scorched desert, vintage warbirds from World War II, Korea, and Vietnam flew in tight formation alongside the U.S. Air Force’s most advanced fighters, showcasing the evolution of American air power.
The annual event, hosted at Davis-Monthan since 2001, drew a select group of civilian pilots and Air Force demonstration teams to refine their skills for the upcoming air show season. This year’s course featured iconic aircraft like the P-51 Mustang, P-38 Lightning and, new to the Heritage Flight program this year: the F-5 Freedom Fighter, sharing the airspace with modern marvels such as the F-35 Lightning II, F-22 Raptor, and F-16 Fighting Falcon. The sight of propeller-driven warbirds buzzing alongside fifth-generation jets painted a vivid picture of the technological leaps that have defined USAF military aviation over the past eight decades.
The training course is organized by the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation in coordination with the USAF. The foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving the history of U.S. air power. It organizes dynamic aerial displays, known as Heritage Flights, where modern U.S. Air Force aircraft fly in formation alongside historic fighter planes from eras like World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. These performances, conducted by skilled civilian pilots, occur at 50-70 events annually worldwide, including air shows, sporting events, and memorial ceremonies. The foundation aims to honor the sacrifices and service of Air Force personnel, past and present, while inspiring the public and supporting recruitment and retention efforts. Through these living tributes, it bridges the past and present of military aviation, showcasing its evolution and significance.
For three days, the base hummed with activity as pilots practiced precision maneuvers under the watchful eyes of instructors and safety observers. The training isn’t an air show—it’s a rigorous certification process that ensures civilian aviators can safely fly alongside military jets at air shows across the country and abroad.
On February 27th, APD caught glimpses of the F-35 demo, a heritage flight of the F-35 flying alongside a P-51, an F-16 flying alongside two F-5s and a P-51 flying alongside a P-38. Notable warbirds that were present included a 1942 North American-Martin A-36A Apache and a North American F-6K Mustang, both owned by Comanche Fighters.
Davis-Monthan, known for training A-10 pilots, combat search and rescue squadrons, and housing the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, known as “the boneyard,” offered ideal facilities, weather, and support to certify pilots for the air show season.
Thanks to the pilots, and all others involved in the training and certification, millions of spectators will witness the spirit and heritage of the USAF in 2025.
Steven is from Long Island, New York and now resides in sunny Mesa, Arizona. Steven’s love for aviation began when he was a child with a fascination for WWII aircraft. This love of aviation was further fostered by his uncle, a long-time Trans World Airlines (TWA) employee who had a passion for all forms of aviation.
Steven’s interest in photography began when he was 16 years old when he received his first SLR camera, a Minolta XGA. It makes sense that eventually his passion for aviation and photography would merge into a love for aviation photography.
In addition to being the web designer, webmaster and chief editor of Aviation Photography Digest, Steven has been published in numerous magazines worldwide.
Steven has an M.S. from Boston University and uses Nikon photographic equipment.
Steven is a Nikon NPS member.
Steven can be reached at: [email protected]