Aransas County Airport in Rockport, TX, is the place to be if you are a warbird enthusiast. Every year, mid-November, warbirds from near and far invade RKP and take you back in time as part of the annual Warbirds Over South Texas event. Warbirds Over South Texas is a unique event hosted by ACTS Aviation, combining a fly-in with warbird operators offering rides for the community. Fighters, bombers, transports, trainers- you name it, Warbirds Over South Texas had it! Nearly thirty different airplanes flew in for the event. This year’s event took place on November 14th-15th. Historic warbirds, including Southern Cross C-49J, Devil Dog B-25, Glamorous Glenn III P-51D, and Godspeed Corsair, to name a few, headlined the event this year.
November 14th was an education day for local children and schools. Warbird operators spent the day sharing their aircraft with the next generation and educating them about the importance of preserving these wonderful machines so history can live on. Education day, Friday, played a pivotal role in starting an amazing weekend of flying camaraderie and was perfectly aligned with ACTS Aviation’s mission. Warbirds Over South Texas executive director Cody Stewart stated, “For me, Friday’s “All Things Aviation” Education Day set the tone for the entire weekend. We welcomed schools, families, and future aviators for a hands-on, inspiring day of learning guided by Texas A&M–Corpus Christi and Texas A&M–Victoria’s new drone and aviation programs, the FAA, ATC, Del Mar College’s A&P program, the Lone Star Flight Museum, the WASP Museum, the Liberty Jump Team, the U.S. Coast Guard, the FBI, Navy and so many others.” There were about 800 students of all ages from local schools who visited the event during education day. Crews opened their aircraft for tours and answered numerous questions to help shape the next generation of aviators. Stewart added, “This year, we also introduced custom student logbooks, allowing kids to collect stamps, stickers, and pilot signatures throughout the day for keepsakes that they can carry with them throughout their aviation journey. Our goal has always been to spark curiosity in young minds, and this year, we delivered in the best way possible. Watching students’ faces light up as they climbed inside aircraft once flown in WWII, while also discovering the cutting-edge innovations shaping aviation in our region, was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.”
Southern Cross Douglas C-49J from Greatest Generation Aircraft headlined the show with the Liberty Jump Team, opening the event with a round canopy jump on Friday and Sunday. With beautiful views of the Texas Gulf Coast surrounding Aransas County Airport, the jump team had beautiful views as they performed their historic round canopy jumps from Southern Cross. Jumping on the coast almost gave the impression of jumping into Normandy, France, which made the historical appreciation of the event even more special.
Jil Launay, Vice President of the Liberty Jump Team, stated, “I can give nothing but the best accolades to Cody Stewart and his amazing team for the job they did organizing and implementing Warbirds Over South Texas. From beginning to end, all was handled professionally and with a real sense of wanting to put on a safe and historical show for all. Liberty Jump Team enjoys such a positive and long relationship with the Greatest Generation aircraft and its Crew. Their support and coordination with our team are key to a successful mission. It is always a pleasure to work with them.” During the event, the jumpers were led by jump masters Leslie Herlick and Jon Ring. The jumpmasters make sure all is safe on board, and ensure communication between the aircrew and the drop zone (DZ) is consistent to ensure a good and safe jump, calling out commands such as “stand up, hook up, sound off for equipment check.” Crowds were pleased by three passes from Southern Cross and five sticks of jumpers jumping out each time. This year’s event was blessed by phenomenal weather, and Rockport residents from near and far could see round canopies in the sky, ultimately drawing in more crowds to the event. The Liberty Jump Team also had a display of jump gear, uniforms, and other historical artifacts to help educate the public about round canopy jumping throughout the weekend.
Not only did visitors get a rare glimpse at observing jump operations from C-49J Southern Cross, but they also had a chance to fly on the rare warbird. Southern Cross is one of the only two airworthy Douglas C-49 examples in existence, and rides were being offered throughout the weekend. Passengers enjoyed beautiful views of Rockport beaches and the coast. Rides were offered from Friday to Sunday. Numerous warbird riders took to the skies after seeing Southern Cross fly over their house. “That’s my house down there,” was shouted in the cabin numerous times. Personally, one of my favorite parts about flying rides was the vast number of first-time fliers we had on board. We had about a dozen first-time fliers, ranging from young kids to adults who had never experienced an airplane ride before. Thanks to ACTS Aviation and sponsors, warbird rides were offered at special rates during the event, making warbird flights more accessible for all. Southern Cross’ pilots would take time to explain more about the aircraft and let kids and first-time fliers of all ages sit in the cockpit to have an even better experience and an unforgettable introduction to aviation. Warbird rides were also offered by the Gulf Coast Wing CAF, Devil Dog B-25, Houston Wing CAF, Rockport’s own Vintage Air Tours, and WACO biplanes. There was an endless variety of vintage aircraft to fly on and experience the thrill of warbird flight, accompanied by beautiful views!
Warbirds Over South Texas is also focused on Veterans’ support, and the organizers behind the airshow made it possible for Veterans to connect with the aircraft, share stories, and be honored with special flyovers. On Saturday, every warbird in attendance at the event took to the skies and participated in a mass warbird parade over the USS Lexington. The Aransas County airport is approximately thirty miles away from the USS Lexington, making it the perfect location to host a mass warbird flyover. Fighters, bombers, trainers, and transports all assembled and performed a spectacular flyover of the USS Lexington in honor of our Veterans. Visitors of the ship were treated to a rare sight of vintage warbirds flying over the deck. Flyovers like this help to bring local communities together, and the USS Lexington flyover organized by ACTS aviation was no different, connecting the local communities of Corpus Christi and Rockport together while focusing on the region’s vast aviation history.
“Warbirds Over South Texas has always been about community, and this year, the community showed up in full force,” said Cody Stewart. “The Liberty Jump Team’s parachute drop, complete with fighter cover, set the tone for an unforgettable USS Lexington Parade, sending a wave of pure patriotism throughout the Coastal Bend. With each event, we honor history, inspire the future, and bring people together around aviation. I’m proud of what this weekend meant for Rockport and the entire Coastal Bend, and I can’t wait to see where God leads us in the 2026 Warbirds Over South Texas (November 13th-15th 2026).”
Overall, Warbirds Over South Texas is a phenomenal community event with a true love for the community. There is no better event to see the warbird industry come together to serve a community and serve as mentors and an inspiration for the next generations. We all look forward to being back in Rockport in 2026 for the next unmissable event hosted by ACTS Aviation! “ACTS Aviation – Warbirds Over South Texas is built on prayer, faith, and gratitude. The sight of families, veterans, and aviators gathered around the wings of history reminded us that this event is about far more than airplanes. It’s about purpose, connection, and the love of God shared through aviation.” Facebook Link: Warbirds Over South Texas | Rockport, TX | Facebook
