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Thunder Over Georgia Air Show this weekend

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  • Robins Public Affairs

The 2016 Thunder Over Georgia Air Show will roar into Middle Georgia to the delight of thousands this Saturday and Sunday.

Headlining the event will be “America’s Ambassadors in Blue,” the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Their last visit here was in 2009.

 “We’re very excited about this event,” Col. Jeff King, 78th Air Base Wing commander, said. “This is a great opportunity for the Air Force and Robins Air Force Base to thank Americans across the southeast for their continuous support for the military.”

The flying unit is officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, and flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

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

The Army Black Daggers, the DAV (Disabled American Veterans), and Randy Ball and his MIG-17F will be on hand.

World renowned superstar Patty Wagstaff has signed on to perform her breathtaking low-level aerial demonstration.

There will also be static displays so folks can get an up close and personal look at some of the most highly coveted aircraft in the Air Force inventory.

They include the C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemaster, C-130 Hercules and the E-8C, to name a few.

The 78th Force Support Squadron has worked tirelessly on the morale and welfare elements of the event, according to Maj. Felicia Kersh, air show FSS coordinator.

“We’ve included elements like the Kids Zone to entertain the younger kids and a variety of food for spectators to choose from,” she said. The Kids Zone will feature fun and exciting activities such as a boot camp obstacle course, a little tykes area, a rock wall and circus city.