March 28, 2024
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Blue Angels back in area for Fleet Week in October

BlueAngelsPractice2015-23Nearly two dozen aviators including the Navy’s famed Blue Angels flight demonstration team will take to the sky October 15 and 16, 2016 as part of Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore October 10-17.  An open house free festival, including meet-and-greets with pilots, will take place at Martin State Airport in Baltimore County on October 15 and 16. Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore celebrates the rich maritime traditions of the Chesapeake Bay and is the legacy of the 2012 Star-Spangled Sailabration and 2014 Star-Spangled Spectacular events held in Baltimore. The weeklong event is planned by the Maryland Department of Commerce, Office of Tourism, and Historic Ships in Baltimore in conjunction with the U.S. Navy. Northrop Grumman Corporation, whose Mission Systems sector is headquartered in Linthicum, is the event’s title sponsor.

Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore aviators* to include:

United States Navy’s Blue Angels

The Blue Angels is the United States Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, with aviators from the Navy and Marine Corp. The Blue Angels team was formed in 1946 making it the second oldest formal flying aerobatic team (under the same name) in the world, after the French Patrouille de France formed in 1931. The Blue Angels’ six demonstration pilots fly the F/A-18 Hornet, typically in more than 70 shows at 34 locations throughout the United States each year.

United States Air Force Heritage Flight featuring F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning and P-51 Mustang

An F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning and P-51 Mustang break formation as part of the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight. The Heritage Flight presents the evolution of Air Force air power by flying today’s state-of-the-art aircraft in formation with vintage fighter aircraft.

Royal Canadian Air Force Demonstration Team – CF-18 Hornet

The Royal Canadian Air Forces’ CF-18 Demonstration Team and Captain Ryan Kean with his specially painted CF-18 personify the excellence required to keep the Canadian Air Force among the world’s best by functioning with a high level of expertise and dedication.

Geico Skytypers – SNJ-2 Vintage Aircraft

The Geico Skytypers perform a low-altitude, precision-formation flying demonstration filling the sky to provide spectators a unique viewing experience while showcasing tactical maneuvers utilized in WWII and the Korean War. The team flies six SNJ-2 aircraft, the Navy’s version of the Texan T-6, a WWII training plane. 

Scott Francis Airshows – MXS High Performance Aircraft (solo aerobatics)

Scott Francis provides high-speed, hard-core, solo aerobatics in the American-made, all carbon fiber MXS aircraft.  Expect ultra-high performances from this solo pilot who possesses a surface level aerobatic waiver and flies in more than 30 airshows each year.  

United States Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demonstration – MH-65D

The MH-65D is the Coast Guard’s primary search and rescue helicopter. A duel engine, multi-mission asset, the MH-65 is capable of conducting rescues up to 100 nautical miles offshore. Coast Guard Station Atlantic City operates seven helicopters supporting missions north to Connecticut and Long Island Sound and south to Virginia.

Logistical Information:

Approximate viewing hours for the air show on October 15 and 16 are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and takes place over the Middle Branch of Baltimore’s Harbor adjacent to Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

Key viewing areas for the air show include Fort McHenry and areas in and around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Several less crowded public parks provide “peek-a-boo” views of the performance, including Canton Waterfront Park, Riverside Park, Cherry Hill Park, Reedbird Island Park, and Garrett Park. Medstar Harbor Hospital will host a Health and Wellness Festival on its waterfront lawn to complement its prime viewing location.

Martin State Airport will serve as the take-off and landing site for all aircraft participating in the air show. The airport will also host a free “Open House and Festival” on October 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., where visitors can enjoy food and beverages, as well as view U.S. Navy, Maryland Air National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard and more aircraft up close, and an autograph session with the Blue Angels following the air show each day. Visitors will be subject to security screening upon admittance to the event.

Spectators are asked to plan ahead, arrive early, pay careful attention to all posted parking signs, road closures, and ongoing transportation announcements. Residents and visitors alike should be aware that Saturday, October 15 is also the Baltimore Running Festival (aka Baltimore Marathon), and will require multiple road closures and cause traffic delays within Baltimore City. Taking the Light Rail or Metro is strongly recommended for Saturday to ease any traffic congestion due to the running festival.

Within the downtown Baltimore area, air show spectators are encouraged to “use your feet to see the fleet”.  It is recommended to walk, bike or utilize public transportation to access Fort McHenry and the surrounding harbor areas to view the air show.  There will be no parking permitted at Fort McHenry. Other public transportation alternatives include the Charm City Circulator Banner Route or the MTA Bus Route 1 from the Inner Harbor. The Charm City Circulator and the MTA Bus will run on modified schedules and routes on Saturday, October 15 until 5 p.m. due to the Baltimore Running Festival. The Baltimore Water Taxi will also be operating to Fort McHenry.

Additional activities throughout the week will include free on-board public tours of ships October 13-16, an Inner Harbor festival October 13-16 featuring Chesapeake-inspired dining, official visits by Navy leadership, crew sporting competitions, community service projects, educational activities, musical entertainment and much more. Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore is expected to bring visitors to Baltimore and the region, which will contribute to the economy through increased hotel bookings and spending at restaurants, shops and retail outlets. 

Throughout the week-long celebration, visitors can tag photos and share videos on social media platforms using the hashtag #MDfleetweek and #MDairshow.

For the latest updates, more information and a complete list of activities taking place during Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore,visit www.mdfleetweek.com.

*Note, all announced airshow performance schedules and participating aircraft are subject to change based on weather or other standard industry safety precautions.

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