Change In Air Force Procedures Prompted Move To Cancel 2016 Air Show

PRESS RELEASE

Despite the 14th Flying Training Wing’s efforts to secure an air show in
2016, Columbus Air Force Base announced Feb. 25 that there will not be a
2016 air show.

Columbus Air Force Base sent representatives to the International Conference
of Air Shows to compete for a headliner act such as the U.S. Air Force’s
Thunderbirds or U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels.

“We did not secure an act primarily because the Air Force is moving towards
a 2- to 3-year model for air show frequency, and our last air show was in
2014,” said Col. John Nichols, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander.

Priority for those acts is also given to milestone anniversaries such as a
50th or 75th. For example, Vance AFB, Oklahoma, will hold an air show this
year celebrating its 75th anniversary, which is their first one in eight
years.

Nichols said the base fully expects to secure one of these acts in 2017 for
the Columbus AFB 75th anniversary Wings Over Columbus air show.

In lieu of an air show this year, Columbus AFB is planning a 4th of July
celebration with the local community.