VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The 2026 NAS Oceana Air Show wrapped up Sunday, drawing an estimated 300,000 people to the weekend event featuring aerial demonstrations, military aircraft and performances from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
The event was built around the theme of America 250, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The Blue Angels, who celebrated their 80th anniversary this year, were among the signature performers.
WATCH: 2026 NAS Oceana Air Show in Virginia Beach Day 2
The event was built around the theme of America 250, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The Blue Angels, who celebrated their 80th anniversary this year, were among the signature performers.
For Cal Stubbs, the show was about more than the anniversary. It was about bringing back a 30-year memory and opening a new chapter for his family.
Stubbs had not seen the Blue Angels perform since 1996. This weekend, he drove from Raleigh to Virginia Beach to bring his 6-year-old son Owen and 8-year-old daughter Ellie to NAS Oceana so they could experience what he did as a kid.
"I have a framed photo from the first time I saw the Blue Angels and I still remember going to that air show, and I want them to be able to remember the same thing," Stubbs said.
WATCH: Raleigh dad brings kids to NAS Oceana Air Show 30 years after his first Blue Angels experience
It was Owen and Ellie's first time seeing the Blue Angels perform. Owen had his own way of describing the experience.
"They were about like, going about like, 300 million miles an hour, and about like this far apart of each other," Owen Stubbs said.
Ellie was equally enthusiastic.
"I think it's like the loop-de-loops and the twirls!" Ellie Stubbs said.
The family has deep roots in military service, which made the moment carry even more weight for Stubbs.
"My father-in-law is retired Army. He's a Vietnam veteran. My mom is a retired cryptologist officer from the Navy. My father is a P3 pilot," Stubbs said. "It's hard to really put into words, but it's really important to make sure my kids see it and that we do it together."
Stubbs came prepared with a camera to capture the moments.
"I said I'll rent some gear and take some good pictures, so decided I got the largest lens I could hold physically and went from there," Stubbs said.
For Stubbs, the photographs were about capturing something bigger than aircraft in formation.
"A picture might be worth 1,000 words, but more importantly... it's worth a lot here. It's not really the words, it's how they make you feel. And that's more important. And I think they'll know that when they see them," Stubbs said.
WATCH: 2026 NAS Oceana Air Show in Virginia Beach Day 1
Although the Blue Angels periodically perform in Hampton Roads, the air show was also a homecoming of sorts for some members of the team.
Logistics Specialist 1st Class Masha Burger, who graduated from Cox High School in Virginia Beach, said she remembers seeing the Blue Angels for the first time while eating lunch with her mother.
"Yeah, I saw them on the boulevard," Burger said. "My mom and I were eating lunch one day and we just saw this blue jet just fly by and I was like, what is that? And so once we figured out it was the Blue Angels here for the air show, I was like, I want to be a part of that."
WATCH: How NAS Oceana prepares for annual air show with 300,000 expected
Organizers implemented several logistical and security measures for the event. Road closures were in place on London Bridge Road throughout the weekend.
NAS Oceana Commanding Officer Capt. Rob Littman said security was a priority for the event.
"We allow small purses and bags and everything is searched, and we have lots of security everywhere," Littman said. "But we're excited to have the air show, and we think we're going to put on a safe and secure event and enjoy celebrating the Navy and America for 250 years of excellence."
The air show was free and open to the community.
PROGRAMMING ALERT: Watch Blue Angels LIVE on WGNT 'The Spot - Norfolk 27' from 3-4 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday
