DAYTON – The Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger will continue as planned on June 18-19 despite the announcement by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels that they will not be appearing due to an accident by one of their jets last week. The Blues were one of 12 flying attractions scheduled to appear at the 42nd annual show.
“We are saddened by the tragic loss of Marine Captain Jeff Kuss, Blue Angel No. 6 in Tennessee last week,” said Michael Emoff, United States Air and Trade Show Board of Trustees Chairman. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Captain Kuss’s family and the Blue Angel team members,” he added.
The 2016 show will continue with a spectacular lineup of some of the nation’s top attractions including the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, U.S. Navy Leap Frogs and TORA! TORA! TORA!, a dramatic recreation of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. Also appearing will be Hall of Famers Sean Tucker and Patty Wagstaff. In addition, Melissa Pemberton, the P-51 Mustang “Baby Duck,” the Wright B Flyer, a U.S. Coast Guard SAR Demonstration, P40 Warhawk and U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight will appear both Saturday and Sunday.
This year’s show will also see the return of military aircraft static displays popular with spectators. Over 24 military aircraft will be on display this year up from two in 2015. Leading the static lineup is our nation’s newest jet fighter the U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II.
The United States Navy and show officials have announced two additions to the show, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet flight demonstration and Redline Airshows Aerobatic Team performance. The 42nd annual show will takeoff on June 18th and 19th at Dayton International Airport.
The F/A-18 Super Hornet is the Navy’s premier strike fighter. Powered by two General Electric turbofan after-burning engines, the Hornet is supersonic with a top speed of Mach 1.8 (1,190 mph). Carrier-based and armed with a variety of bombs, missiles and guns, the Hornet is feared by enemies and has been used extensively by the U.S. in combat missions beginning with the bombing of Libya and later in the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars and special operations.
Informally known as the “Rhino”, the F-18 Super Hornet will perform a full tactical demonstration of its incredible front-line fighter capabilities. The Hornet’s speed, maneuverability and raw power is sure to wow air show fans. Dayton’s Super Hornet will be flown by LT Shaun “Buzz” Roessner and LT Nolan “Chub Mitts” Lucas from Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-122, Lemoore Naval Air Station, California.
Following the demonstration, the F-18 will conduct a special tribute to Marine Captain Jeff Kuss, U.S. Navy
RedLine Airshows is a dynamic 2-ship formation aerobatic team based in nearby Cincinnati, Ohio. Team Lead Pilot Ken Reider and Wingman Jon Thocker will thrill Dayton spectators with their precision aerobatics that includes opposing, inverted and formation maneuvers. Ken’s proud to say that his attending the Dayton Air Show beginning at the age of 15 inspired his career in aviation. The team flies Van’s RV-8 aircraft and have a reputation for putting on an outstanding aerobatic demonstration popular with air show crowds. This will be Redline’s debut appearance at the Vectren Dayton Air Show.
