The US Navy Blue Angels

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB / GOLDSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – Unquestionably one of the world’s best aerial exhibition teams, the US Navy Blue Angels will headline the Wings Over Wayne Air Show at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro on May 20 and 21.

Typically held every other year and the largest air show in North Carolina, the Blue Angels attracted over 200,000 spectators to Seymour Johnson for their last headline performance in 2017.

“We look forward to showcasing the combat-proven F/A18 Super Hornet, the mainstay of modern naval air power, and the C-130J Super Hercules, the premier logistics support aircraft of the US Marine Corps,” said Blue Angels Commanding Officer and Flight Leader (#1) Alexander Armatas. “Both aircraft operate worldwide carrying out the Navy and Marine Corps mission.”

The first-ever female fighter pilot on the Blue Angels jet demonstration squadron, Lieutenant Amanda Lee of Minnesota, will be flying left-wing (#3) in the formation.

Gates open at 8 AM each day with free admission and parking. Ceremonies begin at 10 AM, with an impressive array of flying exhibitions scheduled from 11 AM until 4:30 PM.

*Air show performances include:

US Navy Blue Angels

Air Combat Command F-22 Raptor demonstration

USMC C-130J Fat Albert Super Hercules

F-16 Viper Combined Arms Demonstration

Carbon Fiber MX Aircraft plane show by Rob Holland

Pearl Harbor reenactment ­– Tora! Tora! Tora!

Jelly Belly demonstration by Stunt Pilot, Kent Pietsch

Ace Maker T-33 air exhibition

Manfred Radius Sailplane demonstration

de Havilland Vampire jet warbird demo by Jerry “Vlad” Conley

Third Strike Wingwalkers — featuring the world’s only all-female team

P-51 Swamp Fox Mustang exhibition

Pitts Model 12 show by Trevor Rafferty

WWII-era P-40 demo (only about 20 in the world are airworthy)

New ground activities at the air show include a 40,000-square-foot hangar dedicated to STEM exhibits (science, technology, engineering, and math) from government, industry, education, entertainment, and defense. G-Force Robotics is helping to organize this educational and hands-on event with exhibitors nationwide.

*Static aircraft displays include:

F-15E Strike Eagle

F-16 Fighting Falcon

F-22 Raptor

F-35A Lightning II

F-33B Kingfisher

T-6 Texan

B-52 Stratofortress

C-5 Galaxy

E-3 Sentry

KC-46 Pegasus

KC-135 Stratotanker

C-130 Hercules

UNC Health Helicopter

British Spitfire

Sharp Nemesis NXT

P-51 Swamp Fox

NC Highway Patrol Helicopter

Cessna-172 Skyhawk

A Blue Angels-themed Kids Zone, for children two years and up, will be available in one of the large aircraft hangars. Admission for all-day access is $10.

Six North Carolinians serve in crucial support roles on the elite Blue Angels team of 138 active-duty Sailors and Marines. They include:

–Lieutenant Commander Gregory R. Jones, USN, Aircraft Maintenance, Cary, NC

–Sgt. Dylan Lippard, USMC, Airframes, Statesville, NC

–AO2 Leon Grant, USN, Crew Chief, Fayetteville, NC

–AE2 Blade Hiatt, USN, Crew Chief, Morganton, NC

–LS1 Gregory Lloyd, USN, Logistics, Murphy, NC

–AD2 Dustin Beck, USN, Power Plants, from Greenville, NC

All team members ensure everything is in perfect working order for the Blue Angels.

Concessions and souvenirs will be available for purchase on the base. Free drinking water will be onsite. Attendees may bring clear, factory-sealed, reusable water bottles, 32-oz or less, and lawn chairs. Not allowed are coolers, large backpacks, pets, or tailgating. Visitors to the air show are encouraged to bring some form of hearing protection.

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is home to the 4^th Fighter Wing, formed in 1942 for the air war over Europe. Today, the F-15E Strike Eagles of the 4^th Wing provide operational support worldwide, whenever and wherever needed. In addition, two Air Force Reserve units reside at Seymour Johnson, the 916^th Air Refueling Wing, and the 414^th Fighter Group.

*Air Show Performances and Static Displays subject to change

For more information:

Wings Over Wayne Website

NC Press Release photos and media archive

Media inquiries:



4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

919-722-0027

4fw.pa.mediaops@us.af.mil

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