Air Power Over Hampton Roads 2025

by Shawn Byers · Published June 6, 2025

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Story and photos by Shawn Byers

Joint Base Langley-Eustis held their 2025 airshow on April 26th and 27th. The weekend started with tragedy as World Champion Aerobatic Pilot, Rob Holland, crashed upon arrival on Thursday and perished. Having seen him so many times, I can say he was the best of the best. The base held a traditional piano burning ceremony in his honor Friday night, and the show went on as scheduled Saturday morning.

“Old Langley” has always been one of my favorite venues for an airshow. It is the home of Air Combat Command, the First Fighter Wing, three F-22 Raptor squadrons, two of which are the nation’s oldest fighter squadrons, an aggressor T-38 squadron and a Virginia Air National Guard squadron. All of this on a single 10,000-foot Runway, 08/26 with a great sun angle. In 1947, my grandfather was stationed here for a short time with the brand new, United States Air Force.

There was no media program for us on Friday, but Public Affairs met us early Saturday morning and escorted us onto the base. Conditions were sunny with the threat of rain later in the afternoon. We lucked out with some dark clouds around but no serious rain.

Each show opened with the Army’s Golden Knights extended performance after the initial flag drop and National Anthem. One soloist demonstrated a wing suit. On Sunday, long time pilot, Ken Breeden completed a 27-year career with his Fini Flight. The Golden Knights gave him a salute and hosed him down.

Bill Culberson then performed a fast routine in the Mig 17. Some pyrotechnics were employed on a low pass courtesy of, who I believe was, Firewalkers International Pyro.

The Jack Aces P-51 Demonstration Team had previously launched into a hold and returned for their new 3-ship performance, which I am loving! On Sunday, Jim Beasley joined them to make a 44ship of Mustangs to perform a Missing Man formation in honor of Rob Holland.

RJ Gritter followed performing solo aerobatics in his stars and stripes, Bellanca Decathlon.

The Navy visited from down the road at Naval Air Station Oceana with the F/A-18F Super Hornet demonstration. The primary jet now has a navy-blue spine to match the blue tail from last season. There was also a Legacy Flight with a Korean War era Corsair flown by Jim “Torc” Tobul.

The Titan Aerobatic Team, formerly Aeroshell, performed a 3-ship routine on Saturday and a 2-ship on Sunday.

The home-based F-22 Raptor Demo Team performed with new pilot, Captain Nick “Laz” Le Tourneau. Pyrotechnic flares are back but I missed his best release, high and out front. There was no Heritage Flight on Saturday but there was on Sunday with P-51, “Bald Eagle” flown by Jim Beasley, Jr.

Kyle Franklin performed his “Ben Wobnoski” comedy act in his Piper Cub with his wife Liz.

Greg Colyer performed in his T-33, “Ace Maker” and had a race with Hayden Proffett in the Smoke and Thunder Jet Truck with a pyrotechnic finish.

After quite a long delay that I believe involved a swap of two aircraft, the Thunderbirds closed the show at 2pm. Prior to takeoff, Thunderbird 1 dedicated the flight to Rob Holland. They also flew a missing man formation at the completion of their show.

Notable static aircraft on the ramp included: