Warbirds over Washington: The Bremerton Air Show
Report and photod by Jim Chamberlain
August 15, 2026
Tucked several miles south of the Naval Base Kitsap and the Bremerton Naval Yard is a small airport with a 6,000-foot runway that can handle a C-17 Globemaster or a Boeing 737 aircraft. It was built in 1936 by local aviators who mowed an old dry bog. During WWII, it became the Pacific Weapons Transfer station that supported the massive increase in personnel, weapons, and equipment needed at the Bremerton Naval Yard. It’s connection to its military history continued on July 11-12th, 2026 with the third annual Bemerton Air Show.
This airshow replaced the Wings over Washington airshow that used to be held in Gig Harbor, Wa. That show was cancelled in 2022, due to noise complaints, environmental impact, and local business opposition by Pierce County authorities.
The three-year-old replacement features one of the largest gatherings of vintage warbird aircraft in the Pacific Northwest. While the Boeing Seafair Airshow is the biggest around, it features more modern aircraft. There were 20 historic aircraft flying over the Kitsap peninsula from several vintage aircraft foundations on the West Coast during the Bemerton show.
The Collins Historic Aircraft Foundation (CHAF) was one of the sponsors and their beautiful P-51D Mustang “Lady Jo” was featured. Roger Collins flew this aircraft along with a T-28 Trojan and drove the classic military vehicles of the Foundation during the two-day show.
“Lady Jo”
Collins and several other members of the Cascade Warbirds , the largest squadron of the EAA Warbirds of America, brought several aircraft to the show. The take off of 6 T-28s trailed by a lone AT-6 Texan filled the air with the roar of their distinctive engines.
T-28 Trojans
The colorful Texan
The Erickson Aircraft Collection out of Madras, Oregon contributed some of the most historic warbirds to fly over Puget Sound this year. Their rare F4U-7 saw combat in Indochina, Algeria, and Suez while in the French Air Force. It is painted in U.S. Navy colors to commemorate the first African American killed in the Korean War, Jesse Brown. The aircraft even flew in the movie “Devotion” about Brown’s service and death. It teamed up with the Collection’s F6F-5 Hellcat in a heritage flight over the airfield before the Corsair raced the Jet Car.
Other Warbirds from Erickson included a P-40E Kittyhawk and a P-51D “Red Tail”. The P-40E served in WWII from 1941to 1946 with the Canadian Air Force in 111 Squadron. It is painted in “Flying Tigers” motif. The Mustang paint scheme commemorates the 332nd fighter group of WWII, the first all African American fighter squadron with over 15,000 sorties during the war.
“Red Tail”
The Soaring over the Seas Foundation out of Eugene, Ore. contributed three great warbirds to this historic aircraft extravaganza. Their AD-4N Skyraider served in the Korean War with the Marine Corps. Their P-40N-1 Kittyhawk served with the Australian Air Force in New Guinea during WWII. The Foundations’ 1943 PBY-5A Catalina served the R.C.A.F. out of Iceland.
The PBY Catalina was also the drop ship for the parachutists of the SOCOM Para- Commandoes to open the show.
The two Kittyhawks flew together while the Skyraider, Corsair, and my favorite plane of the show, F-86 Sabre “Jolley Roger” did more heritage flights.
The F-86F was built in 1953. It is painted in U.S.A.F. markings to honor the first Air National Guard Ace in the Korean War, Captain Clifford D. Jolley. The plane is named the “Jolley Roger” and sports red stars for Jolley’s MiG kills. It was piloted by Planes of Fame President
Steve Hinton. I spoke with Steve about the difficulty of flying in formation with propellor driven aircraft. He said that when you fly with good pilots and keep your air speed up, it is not a problem. At 70, Steve says he doesn’t do what he did twenty years ago but he still loves to fly the F-86, his favorite aircraft.
Steve Hinton in “Jolley Roger”
The show also featured aerobatics from a Marchetti 260C flown by John Blase and a Yak- 18T flown by Ross Granley.
Marchetti SF260
Yak -18T
Five great West Coast living history organizations joined with the Port of Bemerton to bring about a historical classic to celebrate America’s 250th birthday. Warbirds from World II, Korea, Vietnam, and other conflicts all came together to show the stunning capabilities of aircraft from the last half of the 20th century. Combined with the family friendly atmosphere and the great flying weather this was an airshow I would highly recommend to those like me who love a good war story.
Jim Chamberlain is a 72 year old, award winning photographer and travel writer from Goodyear, Az. Jim loves to travel with his wife, and his cameras accompany them on their adventures in the U.S and 5 other continents and in their former home State of Washington. Jim has authored one book and has had several articles published. He has visited over 43 countries and 45 of the U.S. states. He has lived in both Europe and Asia. He holds a B.A. and A.A degrees and is a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy.
Jim has been an amateur photographer most of his life since he first borrowed his father’s 35 mm camera at age 15. He still has that camera. Jim decided to pursue a second career as a professional photographer upon his retirement from his 35 year career in Law Enforcement in 2011, where he held every rank from volunteer to second in command, Undersheriff, of the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
Jim uses Nikon cameras and lenses including the newly acquired Z8 and the venerable D850. He uses Photoshop and does his own printing on a Canon P1000.
Jim has been a member and past president of The Artists’ Gallery in Olympia, Washington and has been selling his photography as fine art for over 15 years in Washington and Arizona. His work is for sale both on his website and at the Expressions Gallery in Goodyear. His website contains over 1000 images at jim-chamberlain.pixels.com. He is currently a member of the Phoenix and the Pebblecreek Camera Clubs and regularly competes in the bi-annual Arizona Camera Club Council Roundups. Jim has recently become a Club Judge for PSA after completing several training programs.
Jim is married and resides in the Pebblecreek Community in Goodyear, Az. He as two daughters and 6 grandchildren.