Las Vegas, NV; December 7, 2015 – The United States Air Force Thunderbirds and United States Navy Blue Angels military demonstration squadrons announced their 2016 and 2017 air show schedules today 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 events 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 perform during the 2017 WONG air show for the first time.

 Air show organizers also proudly announce the 2016 Smoke-and-Thunder concert headliner.  In addition to the Nellis Air Force based USAF Thunderbirds, country music recording artist Travis Tritt will be the featured musical act next fall. 

 "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 all the disappointed fans who were unable to fully experience a premiere airshow.  We are excited and thrilled to have been 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 on back-to-back airshow seasons.  Bringing this patriotic opportunity of sharing the USAF Thunderbirds and USN Blue Angels with the people of Floyd County & Northwest Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee completely satisfies our company expectations."

 The Thunderbirds will fly their six-signature red, white and blue F-16 Falcons, 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 while 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 makes the Thunderbirds a must see at next year’s Wings Over North Georgia airshow. 

 The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels jet demonstration team will serve as the perfect encore as headliners for the 2017 air show on October 28-29, 2017.  The always recognizable blue and gold Navy F/A-18 Hornets and a 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.  Fat Albert will open the show followed by the graceful maneuvers of the four-jet diamond formation, in concert with the fast-paced, high-performance maneuvers of the two Solo pilots.  The aircraft rejoin near the end of their routine to perform maneuvers in a six-ship delta formation, serving as the grand finale

 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 before Christmas.  Advance tickets, sponsor & exhibitor information is currently available through www.WingsOverNorthGeorgia.com.  Fans can register online or follow our Facebook page to receive updates for the 2016 event weekend.