Wings Over Meridian unveils poster ahead of March event

Published 3:42 pm Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Capt. Luke Davis, commander on board NAS Meridian, speaks Tuesday at an unveiling of the poster for the 2026 Wings Over Meridian air show. Photo by Thomas Howard

Thousands of residents and visitors are expected to flood Meridian and Lauderdale County next month as Wings Over Meridian takes place at Naval Air Station Meridian March 28-29. On Tuesday, Navy officials and local leaders gathered at Dumont Plaza to unveil the poster for next month’s event.

EMEPA CEO Randy Carroll, left, and Meridian Airport Authority President and CEO Tom Williams stand for a photo at a poster unveiling for the 2026 Wings Over Meridian air show set for March 28-29 at Naval Air Station Meridian. Photo by Thomas Howard

Wings Over Meridian will feature the Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron as the main act, marking the first time the famed flight group has performed at NAS Meridian in more than 15 years. The event also coincides with NAS Meridian’s 65th anniversary, as well as the Blue Angels’ 80th anniversary.

Capt. Luke Davis, commander on board NAS Meridian, said the turnout to Tuesday’s unveiling is an example of the community support the Navy enjoys.

“It speaks to the 65-year relationship that we’ve had here in Meridian, and there’s no better place to have a Naval Air Station with support like this here in Meridian,” he said.

Tom Williams, president and CEO of Meridian Airport Authority, one of two presenting sponsors for Wings Over Meridian, said the Navy is a critical part of the local community and knows how to put on a good show.

“We are extremely excited as an airport authority to support the U.S. Navy and NAS Meridian, to support this air show,” he said. “They are such an integral part of our community, such a massive part of the economic impact of our community that we would not be the same without them.”

Randy Carroll, CEO of East Mississippi Power Association, Wings Over Meridian’s other presenting sponsor, said the electric cooperative has a long-running relationship with NAS Meridian as it supplies electricity to the installation. The Navy and EMEPA have been involved in a number of projects together including substations, solar panel arrays and more, he said.

More important than the projects, however, are the people stationed at NAS Meridian and the impact they have on the local community, Carroll said.

“That’s what it’s all about. That’s why we’re sponsoring, and we’re looking forward to seeing you at the best air show you’ll see this year,” he said.

In addition to the Blue Angels, Wings Over Meridian will feature performances from the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights parachute team, the U.S. Air Force F-22 demo team, the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B, a Skyhawk, a Corsair, a Wildcat, an Avenger, a Hell Diver and a Mitchell Devil Dog, said NAS Meridian Public Affairs Officer Penny Randall. Civilian performances will include Big Poppa Aviation and Next Gen Eagles.

“These are some amazing, thrilling acts,” she said. “We also have 19 planes on static display, meaning you can get up close and touch them and talk with their pilots.”

Wings Over Meridian will also feature a kids’ zone, recruiters from the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, who will be bringing interactive simulators and plenty of food and drinks, Randall said. Saturday’s events will also feature a classic car show.

Wings Over Meridian is free and open to the public. For a full list of performances and more information about the event, visit wingsovermeridian.com.