Few experiences in life compare to the sound of six jet-powered F/A-18 Hornets flying overhead in precision form by the
Navy Blue Angels. My body physically vibrates as I stand in awe at the power that propels those pilots and planes beyond the sound barrier.
The Navy Blue Angels are the featured performers at the 2012 Vectren Dayton Air Show taking place July 7 & 8, 2012 at the Dayton International Airport. The Blue Angels cap each day of the show with a spectacular choreographed program. The team demonstrates naval aviator skills in an acrobatic performance featuring a four-plane diamond formation. The team caps off their performance with a number of maneuvers while locked in their famous six-jet Delta formation.
Another can’t-miss at the show is the return of the Tora, Tora, Tora demonstration which re-enacts the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. The recreation of this dramatic moment in American history spurs crowd emotions as eight replica aircraft fly through smoke, fire and explosions. The accompanying narration inspires pause at the sacrifices of our servicemen who died in that attack and the historical shift that occurred afterward. I have been to many air shows, and this act is truly one of the most powerful experiences I have witnessed.
Other aerial performances this year include a U.S.A.F. Heritage Flight with the QF-4 Phantom and the P-51 Mustang “Quick Silver,” an inaugural appearance by the Sea Harrier FA2, the Misty Blues (the only all-women sky-diving team in the world), wingwalking on a bi-plane by Gene Soucy and the Tuskegee T-6 Texan among many other breathtaking shows.
In addition to air performances, there are more than 100 ground displays of aircraft -- everything from the U.S.A.F F-16 Fighting Falcon to the U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk. There are lots of kid-friendly activities like the Vectren Kids’ Hangar and Aerospace Adventures, both of which give families hands-on access to the wonder of aviation. NASA astronaut Gregory Johnson will also be available for autographs during the show.
I have attended the Dayton Air Show every year for as long as I can remember. While it is a long day, the venue is stocked with plenty of food and cold drinks. Your family will walk away with an appreciation for our servicemen and women and be thrilled by the power of the aviation industry.
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