News

Thunder Over Georgia Air Show to include warbirds

  • Published
  • By Tannyr Watkins
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Don't miss the chance to relive history as several vintage military aircraft take the sky at the Thunder Over Georgia Air Show featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Oct. 1 and 2.

Warbirds acts give younger generations the opportunity to see history live in action. 

"Our mission, by way of bringing these warbirds to our air show, is to help the generations born after World War II understand exactly what Americans and their allies can and have achieved when they are called to action with a just cause," said Maj. Rex E. Deloach, assistant air show director.

Commemorative Air Force, whose mission is to restore and preserve flying combat aircraft, will be flying World War II veteran airplanes, the P-51 Mustang, the Nakajima B5N and the F4U Corsair.

Each of these aircraft played a significant role in American history.

The P-51 Mustang was one of the aircraft the Tuskegee Airmen flew to protect larger bombers from German fighter planes during World War II.

The Nakajima B5N was used as the primary bomber in the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The F4U Corsairs fighter bombers also known as "Whistling Death" were excellent fighting machines responsible for a substantial amount of air victories claimed by the Navy and Marine Corps in World      War II.

"The warbirds are participating in the 2016 Thunder Over Georgia Air Show as a reminder of days gone by," said Deloach. 

"Many of the local community grew up reading exploits of military heroes and watched all the great aviation movies, but when you hear the thunder of a Merlin, Allison or a Wright engine coughing to life and then see and hear them throttle up, you are transported to an entirely different level of understanding history."

Along with the warbirds, the headlining Thunderbirds will dazzle the crowd with their formation flying and solo routines.

The U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team will also drop in and make an appearance descending from the skies at 12,500 feet traveling nearly 120 miles per hour. 

Be sure to come see these excellent aerial demonstrations along with others at the Thunder Over Georgia Air Show. 

Admission is free and gates open at 9 a.m. each day.

For updates on additional performers, visit the Thunder Over Georgia website and Facebook at http://www.robins.af.mil/airshow and https://www.facebook.com/Robins-Air-Show-2016-304047656310401/.