The countdown is on for one of Northwest Georgia’s biggest spring events, as the 2026 Wings Over North Georgia Air Show is now just two months away. The show is scheduled for Friday, April 3, and Saturday, April 4, at Rome’s Richard B. Russell Regional Airport, and will feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as the headlining act.

According to John Cowman with JLC AirShow Management, the air show is being held earlier than usual this year after the Thunderbirds contacted organizers about an opening in their schedule.

“They said they would like to bring the Thunderbirds to Rome in April because they had a hole in their schedule, and they would like to fill it with Rome,” Cowman said. “I told them if they let me go ahead and announce the show as soon as possible, I’ll say yes to that. That’s kind of the way it came about.”

The Thunderbirds have performed at Wings Over North Georgia in the past, but this year marks a significant change. Thanks to a recently completed runway extension, the team will be able to land at Russell Regional Airport—something that was not possible during previous visits.

“That is going to be a big plus for the community,” Cowman said. “From a visibility standpoint, and it will also be great for the airport because all of the operations with them will be out of Russell, which means increased activity and fuel sales.”

Cowman also explained why the Navy’s Blue Angels have historically been able to land in Rome while the Air Force Thunderbirds could not.

“The Navy builds their aircraft with big wheels and big brakes so they can land on aircraft carriers,” he said. “The Air Force has smaller wheels and brakes, so they require a longer runway.”

More information about the 2026 Wings Over North Georgia Air Show, including ticket details, is available at wingsovernorthgeorgia.com.