LINCOLN, Neb. -- The calendar might still say 2022, but the 2023 Guardians of Freedom Air Show was all the talk during a joint press conference at the Lincoln Airport Nov. 21, 2022.
The event, which takes place at the Lincoln Airport Aug. 26-27, 2023, is being co-hosted by the 155th Air Refueling Wing and 55th Wing and will feature the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels.
“This upcoming airshow is truly unique,” said Col. John Williams, 155th ARW commander. “For the first time the 155th ARW will join forces with our partners, the 55th Wing, to co-host.”
The 155th ARW and 55th WG have a long-standing relationship, which was only strengthened even more as the Fightin’ Fifty-Fifth operated out of Lincoln for 18 months while Offutt’s runway was replaced.
“We’re really, really fortunate to have a team here that takes really good care of their mission partners,” said Col. Kristen Thompson, 55th WG commander. “We’re truly grateful for everything they did for us while we were here.”
The 55th WG, headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base, has not hosted an airshow since 2018 due to a flood, COVID-19 pandemic and the runway replacement project, so the opportunity to co-host with the 155th ARW in 2023 was a no-brainer.
“It’s really terrific for us to partner with the Air National Guard on this event,” Thompson said. “It’s going to be an epic airshow.”
This is the first time since 2016 the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron will perform in Nebraska.
“We’re extremely excited to be here to start the planning process,” said Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Zimmerman, Blue Angel #7. “It’s going to be a great airshow.”
For more information, please visit www.lincolnairshow.com.