PORTSMOUTH — Nearly two decades after they soared into the hearts of local residents, the U.S Navy Blue Angels will once again grace Seacoast skies as part of the upcoming Boston-New England Air Show slated to be held at the Pease International Tradeport this summer.
Since its inception following World War II in 1946, the Blue Angels have performed for more than 455 million fans all across the country. After having used many different types of airplanes for their performances over the years, the Blue Angels switched to the F/A-18 Hornet, the first dual-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on the nation's front lines of defense, in 1986.
Most known for their flight demonstration skills, Blue Angles are considered to be experts when it comes to choreographed refinements of skills possessed by all naval aviators. Some of the more notable acrobatics maneuvers performed during the demonstrations include the four-plane Diamond Formation and the six-jet Delta Formation.
Once known as the "Wings of Hope" air show, the event has been reformed and redesigned to reflect a large scale event for families and its main attraction this year will be none other than the rockstars of the sky themselves, the Blue Angels.
Event organizers made the exciting announcement on Monday at the International Council of Air Shows' annual convention in Las Vegas, Nev. Officials say it has been 20 years since the Blue Angels brought their adrenaline rushing performance to the Granite State.
The local stop, slated for Aug. 28-29, will be one of 67 shows at 35 locations throughout the United States the team will be performing at in 2010.
Joe Wiltrout, co-organizer of the air show, said the event is jointly produced by the Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America and the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire. In addition, Wiltrout said the Blue Angels made the decision to visit the Seacoast this year partly to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts with the local council.
"They love our demographic and there is a real synergy between the Boy Scouts and the Blue Angels," Wiltrout said.
Because of the redesigned format of the event, Wiltrout said the air show will be marketed regionally to a marketing area including up to 4.5 million people living in a 110-mile radius around the Greater Seacoast area.
"These guys are major rock stars as far as aeronautical performers are concerned," said Wiltrout. "This is going to be a huge event."
Historically dubbed as a midtier air show, this year's event is expected to draw tens of thousands to the region for the weekend. Wiltrout said a conservative projection would be about 30,000 people a day, but organizers are expecting to greatly surpass those estimations.
"When you bring in the Blue Angels it's like going to the World Series, Game 7, at Fenway Park," said Wiltrout. "We're looking to give one of those Loudon NASCAR races a run for its money."
The last air show in 2007 consumed the entire Seacoast and brought more than 200,000 spectators to Pease for the three-day event.
Upon learning of the announcement late Monday afternoon, Pease Airport Manager Bill Hopper said the Pease Development Authority is excited and looking forward to working with organizers to make the air show a success.
"The Blue Angels is the biggest name in the air show industry, "said Hopper. "This could be a very big thing."
Also confirmed for the 2010 show in addition to the Blue Angels is state resident and national aerobatic champion Rob Holland as well as a demonstration from the World War II era B-25 "Panchito.
Many additional civilian and military performers as well as a full slate of static displays will be announced in the future. The Blue Angels will make their official preseason site visit on Thursday, Dec 16, and will hold a news conference in order to announce further plans.
Tickets for the show will go on sale on Jan. 25, 2010. Corporate participation/sponsor programs are still available, and additional information is available at www.newenglandairshow.com.
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