NAS Meridian prepares for Wings over Meridian

Published 4:27 pm Monday, February 9, 2026

The sky above Meridian and Lauderdale County may seem a bit busier than usual as Naval Air Station Meridian prepares for next month’s Wings over Meridian celebration.

The event will feature more than five hours of flying featuring a vast array of aircraft and flight displays. The festivities will kick off with the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team dropping in as the national anthem is played and culminate with a performance by the Navy’s elite Blue Angels flight squadron.

“It’s going to be a great, great air show,” said Penny Randall, public affairs officer on board NAS Meridian.

Wings over Meridian, set for March 28-29, is free and open to the public, and the naval installation is hard at work on preparations for the event. The show will be the first visit from the Blue Angels in 15 years and coincide with both NAS Meridian’s 65th anniversary, as well as the 80th anniversary of the Blue Angels.

In addition to the aerial display, Wings over Meridian will feature plenty of food, kid’s activities, flight simulators for kids and adults and much more.

Randall said the performance is expected to draw crowds, and residents are encouraged not to wait until the last minute to try to arrive. Public access for the show will be from Highway 45 only, she said, with the main gate off John C. Stennis Drive reserved for performers, VIPs and emergency services.

“The general public has to come from Highway 45,” she said. “No one needs to come down Highway 39, and that’s what we’re going to battle. We’re going to open up gates at the end of a runway, and people will actually park on one of our runways, the general public.”

Gates open at 9 a.m. both days, and Randall said she encourages residents to plan to arrive by noon to get a good spot. Chairs are not provided, but people are welcome to bring lawn chairs or other seating with them.

“There’ll be plenty of places to plop and sit down and enjoy the show,” she said.

As the base prepares for the March event, the skies over Meridian and Lauderdale County will be busier than usual as trainees from NAS Meridian put in extra hours ahead of the program. Randall said the week leading up to the show will be for those participating to practice their maneuvers, and trainees won’t be able to fly.

Residents may notice more flights in the evenings and on weekends as pilots at NAS Meridian work ahead to keep their training on schedule.

More information about Wings over Meridian, a list of performers, prohibited items or frequently asked questions visit wingsovermeridian.com.

Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that The Golden Knights are the demonstration team for the U.S. Army.