Navy
GalleryBlue Angels headline air show at Marine Corps’ aviation hub
Stars and Stripes
May 12, 2026
U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform aerial maneuvers during the 2026 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., May 10, 2026. (Dylan Swertfeger/U.S. Marine Corps)
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels headlined the air show at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina over the weekend, with aerial demonstrations drawing crowds of aviation enthusiasts.
The two-day air show celebrated America’s 250th birthday at the major East Coast Marine Corps aviation hub with a lineup of military and civilian aerial performances, along with hands-on exhibits featuring military equipment.
Other military demonstrations were from the F-16 Viper, F-35 Lightning II and the AV-8B Harrier, according to the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show website.
Civilian performances featured the Chuters Jump Team; Randy Ball; Marco Bouw; Stephen Covington and Wicked Willy’s Jet Car; R.J. Gritter; Tom Larkin’s Mini Jet; Aarron Deliu; Bob “Rooster” Schmidle; and Jim Tobul and Wingwalker Sam, the website said.
Spectators look to the skies as the Blue Angels execute high-speed aerial maneuvers during the 2026 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., May 10, 2026. (Jacsive Betancourt/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform aerial maneuvers during the 2026 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., May 10, 2026. (Akeel Austin/U.S. Marine Corps)
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501, Marine Aircraft Group 31, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, performs aerial maneuvers during the 2026 MCAS Cherry Point Air Show at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., May 9, 2026. (Matthew Williams/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Marines with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division showcase an M2 Browning Machine Gun to attendees at the 2026 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., May 9, 2026. (Orlanys Diaz Figueroa/U.S. Marine Corps)
U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform aerial maneuvers during the 2026 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., May 10, 2026. (Dylan Swertfeger/U.S. Marine Corps)
RJ Gritter performs aerial maneuvers during the 2026 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, May 9, 2026. (Matthew Williams/U.S. Marine Corps)
A parachutist with the Chuters Parachute Jump Team exits an aircraft carrying the American flag during the 2026 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., May 10, 2026. (Emma Powell/U.S. Marine Corps)
Spectators tour a U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at the 2026 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., May 9, 2026. (Lance Cpl. Orlanys Diaz Figueroa/U.S. Marine Corps)
Tom “Lark” Larkin performs during the 2026 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., May 10, 2026. (Dillon Anderson/U.S. Marine Corps)
Air Show attendees make their way through vendors, interactive booths and static displays during the 2026 Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Air Show at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., May 9, 2026. (Maximiliano Rosas/U.S. Marine Corps)