The United States Air Force Thunderbirds and United States Navy Blue Angels military demonstration squadrons announced their 2016 and 2017 air show schedules last week during this year’s International Council of Air Shows convention. The squadrons selected Rome, GA and the Wings Over North Georgia Airshow as one of the host sites for the upcoming 2016 and 2017 seasons. On October 29-30, 2016, the 5th annual air show held at Richard Russell Regional Airport will serve as the temporary home for the Thunderbirds. The Blue Angels will make their inaugural appearance during the 2017 WONG air show.
Air show organizers also proudly announce the 2016 Smoke-and-Thunder concert headliner. Country music recording artist Travis Tritt will be the featured musical act next fall, co-headlining with the Thunderbirds.
“After months of planning and hard work, inclement weather forced us to cancel Saturday’s airshow activities in 2015. We were thankful to hold a Sunday air show, however, hosting the USAF Thunderbirds with Travis Tritt next year will be the best medicine available for any disappointed fans unable to fully experience a premiere airshow. We are excited and thrilled we were selected as a show site for both the Air Force Thunderbirds and Navy Blue Angels,” said John Cowman, JLC AirShow Management President. “Very few shows throughout our country and internationally receive this great honor. We are so proud to be selected to host the world’s two premiere military jet teams for back-to-back airshow seasons. We’re thankful we can share these programs with the residents of Floyd County and the Northwest Georgia region.
The Thunderbirds will fly their six-signature red, white and blue F-16 Falcons, which will be accompanied by an elite group of world-class civilian performers. The USAF Thunderbirds are internationally known for their hard-charging demonstration of precision formation flying, pushing their F-16 Fighting Falcons to the limit. Known as “America’s Ambassadors in Blue,” the Thunderbirds have traveled throughout the world performing before millions of spectators. Their precise flying routines make the Thunderbirds a must see at 2016 Wings Over North Georgia airshow.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels jet demonstration team will serve as the perfect encore as headliners for the 2017 air show on October 28-29. The always recognizable blue and gold Navy F/A-18 Hornets and C-130 Hercules, affectionately known as Fat Albert, will take to the skies to perform a variety of high-speed, aerobatic, precision-maneuvers during their hour-long flight demonstration.
The 2016 airshow activities will also include the KCBS sanctioned Smoke-n-Thunder BBQ Classic “DOUBLE” competition, fireworks display and a general aviation fly-in. The full lineup of performers and artists will be unveiled in late 2015. Advance tickets, sponsorship opportunities and exhibitor information are currently available at www.WingsOverNorthGeorgia.com. Fans can register online or follow our Facebook page to receive updates for the 2016 event weekend.
