The Air Force announced Thursday afternoon that the Elemendorf air show will proceed as planned on Saturday, despite the C-17 that went down Wednesday evening, killing all four crewmembers.

Thursday morning Col. John McMullen, commander of Elmendorf's 3rd Wing, had said they hadn't yet decided whether the show would go on as planned. The C-17 that crashed was practicing for the show when it went down. Below is the press release the Air Force sent out Thursday afternoon.

Arctic Thunder to proceed

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - Despite the tragic loss of four Airmen in a C-17 aircraft accident that occurred here Wednesday, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's air show and open house will proceed this weekend.

"We do this to both honor the loss of our four Airmen and also to pay respect to all servicemembers who make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms," said Col. John McMullen, 3rd Wing commander. "We hope our friends and neighbors throughout Alaska will come out and join us."

Arctic Thunder is free and open to the public. The gates open at 9 a.m. on both July 31 and Aug. 1 and the entertainment continues until 5 p.m. each day. Typically, the largest two-day event in Alaska, attendance for the show is expected to exceed 170,000.