JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (WUSA9) -- The airshow returned to Joint Base Andrews Saturday after a three year hiatus due to budget cuts.
Tens of thousands spent the day on base checking out some really neat airplanes.
"I'm so excited to be here," said one visitor.
"I just think it's so great to go in the cockpit of a plane," said another visitor.
From vintage planes to Saturday's fighter jets, cargo planes and helicopters, visitors got to see the best of the best in air power.
Folks got to see the future in aircraft too, the F-35 Lightning II is the newest and greatest the U.S. Air Force has to offer. It will enter into combat next fall.
"It's a 5th generation fighter along with the F-22. What sets it apart is the stealth. In basic terms you can see other airplanes ten, dozens, hundreds of miles away and they can't see you," said Col. Pilch, Air Force.
"The planes are humongous there are so many people, it's really nice," said Christian Font, a visitor.
"It's important for him to understand the price all these great people pay to keep this country safe he's excited I'm excited it's great to be here," said Carlos Font, a parent.
It's a chance for the military to show their appreciation and for the public to see something they don't see everyday.
"We've been here in D.C. for 22 years we've never been here it's interesting," one visitor said.
"So far so good it's fantastic were having a ball we're learning stuff it's great," a parent said.
"We represent 67,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and marine. We are referred to as the quiet professionals. We don't get out a lot we don't display a lot of what we do," said Col. William Wando, Special Operations Command.
Air Force is celebrating its 68th birthday this weekend. The Andrews Air Show has been going on since the 50s.
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