The Great Tennessee Air Show returned to the Smyrna Airport (MQY) in Rutherford County on June 5-6, 2021 and was headlined by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team. Amateur radio operators from Middle Tennessee have been supporting the air show since the mid 1980s stated Tom Delker K1KY. Members of the Nashville Amateur Radio Club, Williamson County ARES, and Stones River Amateur Radio Club partnered to provide operations support leading up to and throughout the performance weekend. Operators were able to employ multiple technologies during the event including simplex radio operations, RF mesh networking, mobile VOIP phones, IP surveillance cameras, APRS tracking, weather monitoring and measurement, and Starlink satellite internet.
Airport Authority Director John Black and Deputy Director Salil Rai expressed their sincere appreciation and thanks to the team and all of those who worked the event. This volunteer amateur support translates to operations money saved that can now go directly toward community projects.
The next Great Tennessee Air Show is scheduled for 2023.
