The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
Aviation shows will roar over the Oceanfront for the first time in decades as part of OpSail 2012, the Navy's celebration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and the city's Patriotic Festival.
The Navy's Blue Angels are scheduled to perform over the ocean June 1-3, the mayors of Virginia Beach and Norfolk announced Monday. They were joined at the news conference by Adm. John C. Harvey, Jr., head of U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
"To see them over the ocean - you're not going to see it any better," Beach Mayor Will Sessoms said.
The Blue Angels performed at the Oceanfront in 1957 and 1959. Other air shows continued into the 1970s and '80s, officials said.
A story about the 1957 Blue Angels performance in The Ledger-Dispatch said: "Lined along several miles of city's concrete seawall and walkway, the crowd literally held its breath as the jets dived and swooped by with colored vapored trails streaming from wing tips."
The jets are the latest attraction added to OpSail, which includes traditional sailing ships, military ships, and a commemoration of the War of 1812 and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. Hampton Roads is one of seven ports OpSail 2012 will visit next year. The event runs locally June 1-12, with ships coming to Norfolk on June 6-12.
Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim said OpSail will put "our city and the commonwealth on the international stage" and "demonstrate that the port of Virginia is one of the world's greatest ports."
"The Navy is all in on these events," Harvey said, adding the festivities will demonstrate the "bond between the Navy and Hampton Roads."
Last week, an Associated Press story raised questions about the future of the jet squadron's $37 million budget in the sluggish economy.
Harvey said concerns over budget cuts will not ground the Blue Angels.
"They will be here," he said. "Don't worry about the stories you've read about budget hysteria. They're going to give one of the greatest shows in their history."
The Blue Angels will also be performing at the Oceana Naval Station air show in September.
Blue Angels pilot Todd Royles said to his knowledge, the squadron has not performed over the ocean before. He said flying will be a challenge because the ocean lacks the visual cues pilots rely on when flying over land.
"The venue over the beach is going to be spectacular," Royles said.
Aaron Applegate, (757) 222-5122, aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
Just sit back and enjoy the entertainment
Just wish people here complaining about the money spent, be that concern with the way our government waste our tax paying dollars,which is alot more money than any airshow.
It's actually closer to 980 billion
but what's a little chump change?
Welcome back to Oceana
I found the video of the Lynchburg Blue Angels performance that showed the near fatal maneuver that resulted in a safety stand down. In the video you'll see the first attempt at the maneuver performed on the Saturday of the show. You'll here the PA announcer call it, but the planes keep in formation without performing it. The next day on Sunday they try it again (it is the last maneuver in the video) and you'll see how low they are to the ground. Way too low. I love watching the BA's and will be at the show. Here is the link to the video.
http://youtu.be/dlUWQlXQB20
Benefits?
"Looking at the big picture, the program benefits far outweigh the costs." Scuse me.
Would someone explain the benefits of this event? Perhaps your hard core military types find it amusing, but the common man finds it outrageous. Gosh, how did my grandparents ever make it through life without the Blue Angels?
Airshow
Anybody know where show center will be located? What street?
Expense awareness
Just for the sake of awareness...
Navy publishes cost at 37 million per year.
Blue Angels personnel:
17 Officers
106 Enlisted (only E-5 and up listed)
Planes $55 million each. One lost about every 4 years.
70 shows per year
26 pilot deaths
Chump change
Considering the $680,000,000,000 military budget, $37 million is a small percentage. Compared to all military personnel, the dedicated Blue Angel staff is a small percentage as well. Each one of the $55 million jets can be ready for combat in 72 hours, so they are not wasted either. Looking at the big picture, the program benefits far outweigh the costs.
Military budget cuts
Speaking of military budget cuts, how much per year does the military spend on air shows for the Blue Angels? Got to be in the millions. I suggest this frivolous waste of money stop now. We get enough of a show with the planes at Oceana buzzing the city constantly.
Tammy
Blue Angel Mission
"The mission of the Blue Angels is to enhance Navy recruiting, and credibly represent Navy and Marine Corps aviation to the United States and its Armed Forces to America and other countries as international ambassadors of good will." In other words, it is designed to help recruit the best of the best to protect our nation.
My family and me love this team and support their mission. Not to mention that their high show is one of the most exciting shows on earth.
Looking froward to it!
I saw them many years ago at the oceanfront. The show was outstanding over the water. many more folks will be able to participate in the event than at their normal area show locations. One point is that there are a lot more taller buildings along the strip now than 20 years ago. Wonder how that will affect the flying?