<p><a href="http://www.countrymusicontour.com/joe-nichols-2008-concert-tour-tickets/" title="Joe Nichols On Tour"><strong>Joe Nichols</strong></a> kissed the sky Thursday on a refueling mission with the 162nd Fighter Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard as he helped launch the 15th annual <a title="Country Thunder" href="https://countrymusicontour.com/country-thunder-concert-festival-tickets/">Country Thunder</a> music festival in Florence, AZ.</p>
<p>The flight took up much of his day. He reported at 8:30 a.m. to be fitted for gear, including a flight suit, helmet, oxygen mask and G-suit. He then took simulator training to prepare for his trip, eventually spending an hour in the air.</p>
<p>Joe appeared that same evening on the opening-day bill at <a title="Country Thunder" href="https://countrymusicontour.com/country-thunder-concert-festival-tickets/">Country Thunder</a>, which also featured <strong>Neal McCoy</strong>. Among the other acts who played the four-day festival this weekend were <a href="http://www.countrymusicontour.com/sugarland-2008-concert-tour-tickets/" title="Sugarland On Tour"><strong><a title="Sugarland" href="https://countrymusicontour.com/sugarland-concert-tour-tickets/">Sugarland</a></strong></a>, <a href="http://www.countrymusicontour.com/dierks-bentley-2008-concert-tour-tickets/" title="Dierks Bentley 2008 Concert Tour"><strong><a title="Dierks Bentley" href="https://countrymusicontour.com/dierks-bentley-concert-tour-dates/">Dierks Bentley</a></strong></a>, <a href="http://www.countrymusicontour.com/billy-ray-cyrus-2008-concert-tour-tickets/" title="Billy Ray Cyrus On Tour"><strong>Billy Ray Cyrus</strong></a>, <a href="http://www.countrymusicontour.com/bucky-covington-2008-concert-tour-tickets/" title="Bucky Covington 2008 Concert Tour"><strong>Bucky Covington</strong></a>, <a href="http://www.countrymusicontour.com/category/kelli-pickler/" title="Kelli Pickler On Tour"><strong><a title="Kellie Pickler" href="https://countrymusicontour.com/kellie-pickler-concert-tour-tickets/">Kellie Pickler</a></strong></a>, <strong>John Fogerty</strong> and <strong>Heartland</strong>.Country Music Photo Gallery</p>