VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Naval Station Oceana's annual air show will look different this year, but the Navy says it's back on - virtually - after the in-person event was canceled July 13.
Normally, more than 250,000 spectators would flock to Virginia Beach to view the show in-person. This year, it'll be live-streamed instead, allowing spectators to see naval aviation up close in a safe environment during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Navy, the air show will now be broadcast on September 19 from noon to 4 p.m., featuring performances by military aircraft like the Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Air Force's F-22 Raptor.
“NAS Oceana is very fortunate to call the cities of Virginia Beach and Chesapeake our home, and we take pride in doing our part to keep the public safe. As members of these great communities, we know that people look forward to attending our very popular air show,” said Capt. John W. Hewitt, Commanding Officer of NAS Oceana. “Moving the air show to a live-streamed event allows us to keep everyone healthy, while still showcasing what the Navy and Marine Corps team is capable of doing when we deploy around the world to defend America’s interests.”
The air show's schedule is still under development. Its theme, "In It Together," pays tribute to frontline workers keeping people safe during the pandemic.
The four-hour show will be broadcast on NAS Oceana's Facebook page and YouTube account.
