Blue Angels, top acts in aviation to fly K-Bay skies

Lance Cpl. Vanessa M. American Horse
Hawaii Marine

Marine Corps Base (MCB) Hawaii is getting ready for September’s big air show. MCB Hawaii will present the Kaneohe Bay Air Show, scheduled Sept. 25 – 26, which includes the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. “We are expecting visitors from as far away as the East Coast and Japan, excited to see this air show,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Pete O’Hare, air show director, MCB Hawaii.

The highlight of the free show will be the Blue Angels. Other scheduled performers include noted pilots Tim Weber, Greg Poe, Mike Wiscus, Jacquie B. Airshow, Hank Bruckner, Chuck Aaron and Clint Churchill. A precision freefall parachute demonstration is also scheduled for the event.

“Residents of Hawaii deserve this.” O’Hare said. “They do a lot for the military and this is one way we can give back to the communities. We’ve included nothing but the top acts in aviation.”

The route for the performing aircraft is a five-mile radius, over water, circling the MCB Hawaii peninsula. The aircraft will fly to a maximum of 1,500 feet in the air, depending on the type of show.

Aircraft of all shapes and sizes will be flown into Kaneohe Bay from all over the U.S. for static displays.

Spectators will be able to take pictures and get close to the wide variety of military aircraft. Historic arms and uniforms will also be displayed. Visitors will be able to go inside the larger aircraft. The air show will be held in conjunction with Bayfest and a new attraction, the Taste of Oahu.

Gates open at 9 a.m. each day. Large crowds are expected to attend the free show, held on Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay’s flight line.

Traffic and parking may become an issue since there are limited parking spaces near the show. “Come early and stay late,” suggests 1st Lt. Derick E. Daley, military police operations officer, provost marshal office.

“There is plenty of entertainment for young and old, alike. It all starts as soon as the gates open,” Daley said.

Remote parking can also be utilized at the Pacific Aviation Museum located on Ford Island.

For more information visit http://www.mcbh.usmc.mil/airshow.