Blue Angels to Headline Annual Jones Beach Air Show

Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State’s largest credit union, and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, are very pleased to announce that the United States Navy Blue Angels will headline the 15th Annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach taking place on Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27, 2018.

It was also announced that the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds will be performing, making their 4th appearance at the Bethpage Air Show; the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team will also be participating in the 2018 lineup, and the F-22 Raptor, a stealth tactical fighter aircraft developed for the United States Air Force will perform.

In addition, the Jones Beach Air Show was named one of four air shows to be featured in the inaugural 2018 “Grunt Style Air Show Majors Tour.” The tour unites the most prestigious air shows in the country and was developed to help increase mainstream awareness of the air show industry.

This will be the U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ 8th appearance as headliners at the show. During the squadron’s most recent headlining appearance in 2016, the Bethpage Air Show had record breaking attendance when 453,000 people traveled to the show for its biggest lineup ever.

“We are excited to welcome back the United States Navy Blue Angels to Long Island," said George Gorman, deputy regional director of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. "This year we will be celebrating our 15th anniversary. Since the show began in 2004, over 4 million air show enthusiasts have attended the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, helping to celebrate our nation’s military and the Memorial Day holiday weekend. We look forward to another spectacular show this May."

The 2018 Grunt Style Air Show Majors tour showcases a collection of America’s most prestigious air shows including: SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland, Florida, the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, Cleveland National Air Show, and the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Wings Over Houston Airshow. The four shows will attract over 1.3 million total spectators.

During the 2016 record-breaking show, three jet teams performed together for the first time, including the Blue Angels, the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds and the Breitling Jet Team. Last year, more than347,000 fans attended the Bethpage Air Show when the United States Air Force Thunderbirds headlined the show.

Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images