AP Photo by Jay Drowns

Jet Base Continues to Soar
by Kristi Kastrounis, 09.15.05

Virginia Beach, VA- Fans of jet noise, funnel cakes, and explosions will gather together this weekend for the 2005 naval air show at Oceana Naval Base.

The recent possibility of closing the naval air base has not prevented Oceana from preparing for their annual air show.The show kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 15 with a free concert featuring Grammy-Award winning country star Lee Ann Womack. The concert is open to the public and begins at 5 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16, the “Oceana Twilight Air Show” introducing the Blue Angel’s Fat Albert, Showcopters, parachute jumps by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Black Daggers, Canadian Skyhawks, and the British Red Devils will begin at 5 p.m. The “Twilight Air Show” will end with a fireworks display. Friday’s events are free.

Saturday, Sept. 17, will feature the Blue Angels. The Blue Angels are known for their aerobatic maneuvers in diamond formation and graceful stunts. Other events include, Showcopters, the Skytypers, Jim “bulldog” Leroy, and pyrotechnics by Rich Gibson’s Incredible Pyro. There will also be flight performances by the USA’s Black Daggers, British Red Devils, and the Canadian Skyhawks parachute teams.

At 7 p.m., the 24th Street Park in Virginia Beach will host the “Beach Blast.” Jet fans can meet their favorite members of the Blue Angels for autographs on the boardwalk by the oceanfront.

Events will continue at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 18.

Whether a frequent attendee of air shows, or if you’ve never enjoyed the jet noise and explosions, come out to Oceana this weekend and witness planes perform tricks they were not meant to do.

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