Rome’s skyline will belong to the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds this Friday and Saturday, as the Wings Over North Georgia air show returns with a lineup that wraps the program in a twilight drone show and fireworks finale. Thanks to a newly lengthened runway at Richard B. Russell Regional Airport, the elite demonstration team can base operations in Rome for the first time, bringing pilots and support crews into town. Organizers say the weekend will blend high-speed military formations, civilian aerobatics, vintage warbirds and family-friendly exhibits across both days.
Thunderbird 1 commander Alexander Prevandar, known inside the squadron as "Knight," told CBS News Atlanta that the role "is a rush," and he highlighted the calm, precise radio calls pilots use before each maneuver. The squadron, which the outlet notes includes eight pilots, is slated for a Friday afternoon-and-evening routine followed by a full Saturday of daytime demonstrations, with the Thunderbirds scheduled as the final act on Saturday according to the published schedule.
Runway Upgrade Turns Rome Into Thunderbirds Home Base
Rome’s ability to host the F-16 demonstration team stems from a $5.7 million SPLOST-funded runway extension that expanded Russell Regional’s runway to roughly 7,010 feet, officials say. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that the final paving wrapped up just before Christmas, removing the length barrier that previously forced the Thunderbirds to operate out of Marietta. The airport's events calendar lists the April 3–4 dates for the show, and an earlier story about the booking ran this winter.
What To Expect In The Sky
According to the official schedule, Friday’s program features a Thunderbirds performance that leads into a twilight and night show capped by a drone display and fireworks. Saturday is stacked with daytime demos that build toward the Thunderbirds’ closing performance as the final act. Wings Over North Georgia lists civilian performers including GhostWriter Airshows, the Bayou Militia, vintage P-51 and Corsair warbirds, a C-130 demonstration and jet-car exhibitions among the weekend roster.
Community Tie-Ins And Tickets
Organizers are teaming up with the Rome Emperors for an opening-night reception at AdventHealth Stadium on April 2, and the Thunderbirds will fit in school visits and public meet-and-greet opportunities while in town. Local reporting and the Emperors’ announcement spell out those details; see WRGA for more. All tickets must be purchased online in advance, with no gate sales available, FOX 5 Atlanta reported.
Expect heavy traffic near Russell Regional on show days and build in extra time for parking and security checks. For the full performance schedule, ticketing information, parking maps and any last-minute changes, check the show’s official site at Wings Over North Georgia.
