The NAS Oceana Air Show is always one of the 'really big' highlights of our aviation calendar, as we cover military aircraft activities throughout North America each year.  The 2019 edition was no exception to the usual high standard of production delivered by the Oceana team!  Any lover of military aviation will tell you that sunshine and jet fuel is a recipe for happiness -- always an intoxicating mixture.  Both of these prized, air show  commodities were on hand in plentiful supply this year, providing the 'icing on the cake' for the September trip to Virginia Beach.

The highlight of the show for the military aircraft enthusiasts is the exciting dynamics of the FLEET AIR POWER DEMONSTRATION.  Expertly presented again in 2019 on behalf of Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic and Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station Oceana, the simulated combat scenarios showcased aircraft from four U.S. Navy squadrons and featured integrated operations with U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army assets, including medium altitude combat jumps off the rear ramp of a C-17 Globemaster III by specialists from the BLACK DAGGERS -- U.S. Army's elite Special Operations Command.

Call sign:  JOKER ONE, from VFA-34 BLUE BLASTERS -- Flight lead for the 2019 FLEET AIR POWER DEMONSTRATION

IT ALL STARTS... with the bustling activity of the expert ground crews; readying the mid-morning ‘hot ramp’ area for the upcoming symphony of precision movements and actions that will safely launch the Fleet Air Power Demo aircraft.   Above, we see VFA-106 and VFA-34 enlisted specialists from various ground crew trades, perform the FOD-walk (Foreign Object Damage -walk) first thing, before any flight operations begin.  This classic aviation routine provides that all-important, close scrutiny of the aircraft parking/movement ramp surface, to insure that no loose objects are found that may be sucked into an aircraft’s jet intake or otherwise pose a damage risk to the serious activity about to kick off.   As is typical for what you are able to witness as an air show visitor, everything unfolds in front of you, almost exactly as it would take place on the deck of one of the U.S. Navy’s massive CVN aircraft carriers – a testament to the dedicated, professional training and day-to-day procedures, happening 'twenty-four seven' at NAS Oceana. 

Once the FOD-walk is complete, the aircraft are meticulously prepped for the mission by the ground crew prior to the hand-off of their birds, to the aircrew for pre-flight walk-around inspection.

CALM BEFORE THE STORM

This VFC-12 ground crewman has earned the privilege of a very exclusive (and quite comfortable) vantage point to watch some of the other air show performances in the morning -- awaiting the 'storm' of high-paced activity to come. 

HAND-OFF TO THE FLIGHT CREW

Flight instructors from VFA-106 GLADIATORS arrive at their assigned F/A-18F Super Hornet to start walk-around checks, prior to mounting up for the Saturday version of the 2019 Fleet air power Demonstration.  They will discuss the readiness of the aircraft briefly with the ground crew and shake hands, exemplifying both the bond with the squadron maintainers and the trust invested in the teamwork environment -- essential for safe and effective flight operations.

ROMAN SIX PULLS OFF THE TARGET

Following a simulated gun-run attack, carefully directed by the US Army JTAC (Joint Terminal Air Controller) combat specialists on the ground, ROMAN SIX starts 'the pull' -- demonstrating the climbing, jinking maneuver that's designed to quickly and safely exit their Super Hornet out of the dangerous, low level airspace of the forward battle area.  Condensation (in the low pressure region above the wing and leading edge extensions) is just starting to form what will become the tell-tail 'vape' shroud, commonly produced by the Super Hornet under high-G loads.

The air show crowd gets a glimpse at true Navy strike fighter flying, with participating aircraft decked out in regular training configuration; underwing pylons, drop tanks and even 'buddy' refueling pods.  It's a privileged sight to capture these high-energy maneuvers carried out in 'everyday' fleet jets -- an interesting change (and photographic opportunity) from the usual 'clean', solo demo birds that perform across the country.

Starting from a head-on pass, VIPERs FOUR and FIVE climb vertically into dynamic rolling, turning maneuvers, eventually culminating in a wide, descending turn that puts VIPER FOUR comfortably on the tail of VIPER FIVE... right in 'guns' position!

FRIENDS AGAIN...

Following the mass formation fly-bys at the end of the Fleet Air Power Demonstration, VIPER FOUR leads the FIGHTING OMARS section back over the runway for initial approach and 'break' to enter the landing pattern.