The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, perform during the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort Air Show, April 28, 2019. The Blue Angels are back at MCAS Beaufort to perform at this year’s air show. (Bobby Yarbrough/U.S. Marine Corps)
(Tribune News Service) — With a roar and an aerial maneuver called a “pitch up break,” six Blue Angels fighter jets arrived Thursday morning at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in advance of this weekend’s air show that’s expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors.
The seven fighter jets and their pilots — the first jet arrived Wednesday — are the star attractions at the MCAS Air Show from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with gates opening at 9:30 a.m. The Blue Angels perform at 3 p.m.
But the Blue Angels team is actually much larger and includes personnel who move the equipment and take care of the jets and the pilots.
AT1 Jonathan Miller, for example, an avionics technician from Lakeview, South Carolina, has been a member of the team for four years, working on the jets.
“Oh I love it,” said Miller when asked about being on the Blue Angels team. “It’s exhilarating.”
With shows across the country, the job requires a lot of traveling, but Miller enjoys meeting new people including base command and personnel and representing the Navy and Marines when he works the crowds talking to kids and veterans.
The F-18s flown in the Blue Angels shows are actually the oldest in the fleet, although many people think they are brand new, Miller says.
“And we get to take care of ‘em,” Miller said of the senior maintenance personnel who keep the jets in top form during the shows.
During the fastest maneuver, the No. 5 and No. 6 jets will approach 700 mph, Miller said. During the slowest maneuver, the jets will fly at 140 mph.
Capt. Jackson Streiff is the pilot of the C-130 named “Fat Albert” that transports 35,000 pounds of cargo and 45 personnel to and from 32 Blue Angels shows across the country. The big aircraft also leads off the Blue Angels show with a flight demonstration featuring low altitude tactics.
“The airplane can move pretty good for how big it is,” Streiff said of the C-130, which can reach 370 mph.
It’s a new show in a new city every weekend, Streiff said. “It’s always exciting to come to a new place.”
Formed in 1946, the Blue Angels showcase the pride and professionalism of the Navy and Marine Corps through aerobatic flight demonstrations and community outreach.
Staff Sgt. Kayla D. Rivera, productions and operations chief in MCAS’ Communication Strategy and Operations Office, said at least 100,000 visitors are expected at this weekend’s air show. All of the VIP tickets, which guarantee premium seating, have been sold out, but general admission is free, and no tickets are required.
“Four years is a long time not to have an air show,” Rivera said at the MCAS Beaufort airfield Thursday, moments before six of the seven Blue Angels fighters arrived. “We are expecting a big crowd.”
Parking is available on a first come, first served basis. Bring your own chairs and blankets to enjoy the show.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the last Blue Angels air show in Beaufort was in 2019.
This weekend’s schedule also includes several aerial performances from other groups, helicopter rides and aircraft exhibits.
Check out beaufortairshow.com for more information.
(c)2023 The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.)
Visit www.islandpacket.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
