National Guard pulls out from annual air show

The Thunder Over the Blue Ridge Air Show will not be hosted by the West Virginia National Guard this year.

Air show organizers announced Tuesday that the annual show at Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport will instead be hosted by civilians.

The Guard’s 167th Airlift Wing, who had hosted the air show since 2010, has withdrawn from the event.

According to the 167th’s commander Col. Roger Nye, the withdrawal is due to budget uncertainties.

Due to the announcement, this year’s event will be moved to the airport’s civilian side.

Proceeds from the air show benefit the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle. It will be held May 11-12.