Mexican Air Force visits Laughlin for Fiesta of Flight

Mexican Air Force Brig. Gen. Disraeli Gomez Herrara, president of the Feria Aeroespecial Mexico (FAMEX), or the Mexico Aerospace Fair, gives a thumbs up in a T-38C Talon simulator at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, March 7, 2024. General Herrara previously flew F-5 Fighters, which are similar to the T-38C, both being derived from the N-156 prototype developed by the Northrop Corporation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Larsen)

Mexican Air Force visits Laughlin for Fiesta of Flight

Mexican Air Force Airmen listen to a brief from U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Lester Largaespada, 47th Flying Training Wing command chief, in the 87th Flying Training Squadron at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, March 7, 2024. The Mexican Air Force pilots and Airmen toured Laughlin AFB during their visit to gain a better idea of the mission at Laughlin (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Larsen)

Mexican Air Force visits Laughlin for Fiesta of Flight

The Mexican Air Force Airmen and Mexican Air Force Brig. Gen. Disraeli Gomez Herrara, president of the Feria Aeroespecial Mexico (FAMEX), or the Mexico Aerospace Fair, listen to a briefing in the air traffic control tower at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, March 7, 2024. The Mexican Air Force T-6C+ Aerobatic Demonstration team made their first U.S. debut since 1944 at Fiesta of Flight 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Larsen)

Mexican Air Force visits Laughlin for Fiesta of Flight

U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin Davidson, middle right, 47th Flying Training Wing commander and Mexican Air Force Brig. Gen. Disraeli Gomez Herrara, president of the Feria Aeroespecial Mexico (FAMEX), or the Mexico Aerospace Fair, far left, greet fellow Mexican Air Force pilots, middle left and far right, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, March 6, 2024. Fiesta of Flight 2024 marked the first time in history the Mexican Air Force T-6C pilots and aircraft made an appearance at an airshow in the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman)

Mexican Air Force visits Laughlin for Fiesta of Flight

A Mexican Air Force T-6C Texan II aircraft parked on the flightline at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, March 6, 2024. The Fiesta of Flight airshow 2024 marks the first time in history the Mexican Air Force T-6C pilots and aircraft make an appearance at an airshow in the United States. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman)

Mexican Air Force visits Laughlin for Fiesta of Flight

The sleeve of a Mexican Air Force Airmen displaying the Fiesta of Flight airshow patch during a tour at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, March 6, 2024. The Fiesta of Flight airshow 2024 is the first airshow in the United States to have the Mexican Air Force as performers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman)

Mexican Air Force visits Laughlin for Fiesta of Flight

A Mexican Air Force Airman utilizes a T-6A Texan II simulator at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, March 6, 2024. The Mexican Air Force’s primary training aircraft is the T-6C Texan II, despite the differences between the T-6A and T-6C models, the core flight characteristics and training objectives remain consistent. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman)

Mexican Air Force visits Laughlin for Fiesta of Flight

Mexican Air Force Brig. Gen. Disraeli Gomez Herrara, president of the Feria Aeroespecial Mexico (FAMEX), or the Mexico Aerospace Fair, speaks with Tech. Sgt. Vasquez Velez, 47th Operation Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment continuation training instructor, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, March 6, 2024. The tour included discussions with representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), mission briefings and an opportunity to utilize T-6A Texan II simulators. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman)

Mexican Air Force visits Laughlin for Fiesta of Flight

Published March 19, 2024
By Capt. Christine Del Aguila
47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --

The Fuerza Aerea Mexicana (Mexican Air Force) made their first U.S. debut since 1944 with their T-6C+ Aerobatic Demonstration team for a performance during Laughlin’s Fiesta of Flight Open House, Airshow and Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics Expo (STEAM) March 9.

This was the first time the Fuerza Aerea Mexicana T-6C+ team performed at a U.S. airshow.

The team arrived a few days before the airshow and received a tour of Laughlin AFB March 7. They got a glimpse into how Team XL Builds Combat-Ready Airmen, Leaders and Pilots.

Brig. Gen. Disraeli Gomez Herrara, president of the Feria Aeroespecial Mexico (FAMEX), or the Mexico Aerospace Fair, and 26 additional Mexican Air Force Airmen from the 402nd Squadron visited with Laughlin leadership and the Fiesta of Flight Airshow planning team.

The Mexican Air Force toured various sections within the 47th Flying Training Wing, to include the 47th Maintenance Directorate, 47th Operations Group, 85th Flying Training Squadron, 86th Flying Training Squadron, 87th Flying Training Squadron, 47th Student Squadron, 434th Flying Training Squadron, and 47th Operations Support Squadron (OSS).

The Mexican Air Force team got to experience flying in simulators for a portion of the tour.

Brig. Gen. Disraeli Gomez Herrara and his team also met with the Fiesta of Flight Airshow planning team to share best airshow planning practices.

“We are excited to share with you a bit of history that we are making here at Laughlin Air Base today,” said Col Kevin Davidson, 47th Flying Training Wing Commander, speaking to the crowds on Saturday, March 9. “We have the Mexican Air Force here to perform for you, which is the first time they have performed at an airshow in the United States. We are grateful to have General Disraeli Gomez Herrara’s team here to strengthen our partnership between our countries.”

The Fiesta of Flight brought in roughly 16,000 spectators to Laughlin AFB.