Last week, something extraordinarily special happened at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana. Our gates opened to the public, inviting families, friends, and neighbors in record numbers to come together and share in the wonder of aviation.
Every year, we set out to host the NAS Oceana Air Show as a way for us to give back to our surrounding community. The entirety of Team Oceana looks forward to this opportunity to share some of the incredible things that happen on this base on a daily basis with our neighbors. There’s nothing quite like seeing a child watch an F/A-18 Super Hornet take off from our runway for the very first time or view the awe in a teenager’s expression as they bear witness to the high performance handling capabilities of our Navy’s military aircraft. That excitement is something we love to share each year at our air show.
During the pandemic, we were disappointed to miss this wonderful opportunity to showcase the best naval aviation has to offer, but we did what we had to do to ensure the health and safety of our force, and safeguard the Navy’s readiness. We knew we would be back, and better than ever!
This year’s record crowd size of 341,800 people was an incredible reminder of just how powerful our togetherness can be. Over 5,000 Virginia Beach City Public Schools 5th graders came onboard our installation to grow their passion for STEM Education. And fans from over 91 countries tuned in to watch our livestreamed air show.
The success of the air show belongs to all of us here in the Hampton Roads area. It represents what we are able to accomplish when we come together. Without the continued support from the City of Virginia Beach, especially from the City of Virginia Beach Police, Fire, Emergency Services, and Emergency Management, as well as all of our neighbors in the Hampton Roads community, events like the NAS Oceana Air Show would not be possible.
And so, on behalf of Team Oceana, it is my profound honor to thank you – our neighbors – for your support of NAS Oceana and for enabling our mission. And thank you for supporting the brave men and women who serve in our military.
-Capt. Bob Holmes, Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station Oceana
| Date Taken: | 09.28.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2022 10:39 |
| Story ID: | 430251 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 121 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, With Gratitude to Our Community, from NAS Oceana, by Jacqueline Parashar, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT