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VIDEO: Highlights of the Blue Angels performance at the NAF El Centro Air Show
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RAW VIDEO: Annual festival features talents of local concert bands, orchestras
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The Blue Angels soar over the Imperial Valley
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Spectators look up to the sky as the Blue Angels perform.
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GALLERY: Blue Angels at NAF Air Show
- U.S. Navy
Air show delights crowd, showcases NAF El Centro
By ELIZABETH VARIN, Digital Media News Editor
NAVAL AIR FACILITY EL CENTRO — After the “Star Spangled Banner” was sung and the flag flew hanging from parachuter Rex Pemberton, he had a message for the crowd peering over the safety fence.
“Welcome to the show guys,” he said. “It’s going to be great.”
Locals and people from around the country agreed as they watched planes perform different maneuvers, enjoyed static aircraft displays and were wowed by motorcycle tricks at the annual air show held at the U.S. Navy base near Seeley.
It was the first air show for Viridiana Osuna of El Centro. She brought her son, 6-year-old Christian, to see the airplanes.
“We hear it every single day,” she said. “We want to see it.”
The static displays were really nice, she said. However, the most exciting part was the aircrafts flying overhead.
“I love airplanes,” Christian added with obvious excitement.
The air show is an open house for the Navy facility, said announcer Jon “Huggy” Huggins to the crowd. It’s a way to celebrate aviation and freedom.
That aviation included performances by civilian pilots like Melissa Pemberton, Bill Cornick and Spencer Suderman, military displays including the UK Joint Helicopter Command Apache demonstration and Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey and, of course, the capstone performance by the Blue Angels.
A number of residents went out primarily to see the Blue Angels perform up close, including Abraham Soto of Brawley.
He said he came more for his children to have the experience. He sees the Blue Angels every day at work, but it may still be exciting to see them from the airfield.
Some in the crowd, which was prior to the event estimated to meet last year’s attendance of 45,000 people, traveled from outside the area to see everything going on.
“It’s awesome, all the cars, planes, troops,” said New Orleans resident Jackie Ward. “I love it all.”
He and his family come out every year, he said. His brother is in the military, and he invites them out to see the show. This year looked like there were more people than in the past, and the displays were different than the past with new cars, planes and more. Overall it’s a lot of fun.
Digital Media News Editor Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
By ELIZABETH VARIN, Digital Media News Editor
NAVAL AIR FACILITY EL CENTRO — After the “Star Spangled Banner” was sung and the flag flew hanging from parachuter Rex Pemberton, he had a message for the crowd peering over the safety fence.
“Welcome to the show guys,” he said. “It’s going to be great.”
Locals and people from around the country agreed as they watched planes perform different maneuvers, enjoyed static aircraft displays and were wowed by motorcycle tricks at the annual air show held at the U.S. Navy base near Seeley.
It was the first air show for Viridiana Osuna of El Centro. She brought her son, 6-year-old Christian, to see the airplanes.
“We hear it every single day,” she said. “We want to see it.”
The static displays were really nice, she said. However, the most exciting part was the aircrafts flying overhead.
“I love airplanes,” Christian added with obvious excitement.
The air show is an open house for the Navy facility, said announcer Jon “Huggy” Huggins to the crowd. It’s a way to celebrate aviation and freedom.
That aviation included performances by civilian pilots like Melissa Pemberton, Bill Cornick and Spencer Suderman, military displays including the UK Joint Helicopter Command Apache demonstration and Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey and, of course, the capstone performance by the Blue Angels.
A number of residents went out primarily to see the Blue Angels perform up close, including Abraham Soto of Brawley.
He said he came more for his children to have the experience. He sees the Blue Angels every day at work, but it may still be exciting to see them from the airfield.
Some in the crowd, which was prior to the event estimated to meet last year’s attendance of 45,000 people, traveled from outside the area to see everything going on.
“It’s awesome, all the cars, planes, troops,” said New Orleans resident Jackie Ward. “I love it all.”
He and his family come out every year, he said. His brother is in the military, and he invites them out to see the show. This year looked like there were more people than in the past, and the displays were different than the past with new cars, planes and more. Overall it’s a lot of fun.
Digital Media News Editor Elizabeth Varin can be reached at evarin@ivpressonline.com or 760-337-3441.
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