JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — High speed maneuvers by the Navy’s Blue Angels and Air Force F-22 Raptor will headline the MCAS Cherry Point air show this weekend.
The biannual air show will celebrate the Marine Corps Air Station’s 80th anniversary. The family fun event is free to the public.
The popular air show was forced to cancel in 2020 due to the rise of Covid. An open weekend in the Blue Angels schedule allowed show organizers in July to approve the weekend long event.
“The schedule of the Blue Angels opened up and we jumped on it,” Cherry Point Commanding Officer Col. Mikel Huber explained. “We are really excited to be able to put the air show together and host the public here aboard the air station.”
This year also marks the Blue Angels 75th anniversary season. A year which has seen the squadron perform high performance maneuvers aboard the new Super Hornet jets.
Their six pilots arrived in their blue and gold jets Thursday, crossing overcast skies and landing onto a wet runway. This weekend’s weather is forecast to be sunny and pleasant.
“I like the low-break cross,” Blue Angels left wing pilot Maj. Frank Zastoupil told AvGeekery. “That is a maneuver when the diamond comes from behind the crowd; we then break out in four separate directions, cross in front of the crowd and then comeback and meet at center point, and then do two max afterburner turns right in front.”
Col. Huber received news Tuesday that the F-22A Raptor demonstration team has been added to the performers line up. The Marine Air Ground Task Force, F-35B Lightning II, F/A-18 Hornet, and and AV-8B are also scheduled to fly.
Civilian aerobatic performers scheduled include Randy Ball piloting his MiG aircraft, Tom Larkin and Stephen Covington. The crowd favorite Wall of Fire will also take part during the Marine Air and Ground Task Force Demonstration.
Gates open each day at 8 a.m. and the flying will begin about 10:30 a.m. Parking and gate admission is free to the public.
(Charles A Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)
