Last weekend, a crowd gathered at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana for the Blue Angels and the Air Show. This year, NAS partnered with the Navy Wounded Warriors/Safe Harbor Program, founded to provide support to ill and injured servicemen and their families, in conjunction with local vendors, other branches of service and various other displays.

Visitors flooded the tarmac, walking amongst the various planes, booths, and vendors. Children by the dozens lined up for the bounce houses and obstacle courses with their parents, laughing as they played on plane and ship shaped structures.

All of this was, of course, eclipsed by the array of planes overhead. Looping in the cloud draped sky, the pilots shocked the audience with spins, drops and flips.

The show featured the talents of Greg Shelton and Ashley Battles in a stomach dropping wing walking routine, Jason Newberg in the Viper, Justin Lewis in the FLS Microjet, Skydive Suffolk Demonstration team, and many more. Notably, Fox News anchor, Molly Henneberg made the tandem jump from an airplane with three veterans.

Thanks to the coordinating efforts of Marshall “War Dog” Lefavor, students were offered the opportunity to get up close to the action. Journalism students were allowed access to the Association of Naval Aviator’s viewing area, as well as the Press viewing tent.

This year, NAS Oceana approved fleet demonstrations by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the F/A-18C Hornet. The Air Power and Tactical Demonstrations showed regular approaches used by Navy pilots, causing the crowd to erupt in cheers.

Marine Corps F-18 pilot Captain Kyle McLeod, who has pursued a career as a pilot from a very young age, enjoys the challenge of flying and emphasizes setting yourself up for good opportunities by doing well in school, no matter what level.

“If you have a good worth ethic, everything else will come,” McLeod said.

To top off an eventful and patriotic day, the anticipated Blue Angels performed. Despite the drizzle, the crowds were enthralled by the breathtakingly close passes and advanced maneuvers, including the Diamond Formation and the Delta Form.

Supporting and paying tribute to brave American Warriors who have given an incredible amount to insure the livelihood of our country, last weekend was a weekend to remember.

“I thought it was really awe invoking in the sense that we don’t see that everyday and to see the courage and skill of the men and women who do it is breathtaking,” junior Catalina Perez said.