Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show 2025
Story and photos by Shawn Byers
“September Morn” , Neil Diamond’s 1979 ballad always seems to be playing through the speakers on the calm, sunny, morning ramp as I walk around. This is the familiarity I love about Oceana. Except for September 11th and Covid, I’ve been on a 25-year run every September and that one unfortunate October weekend in 2009. I’ve been to more air shows here than anywhere and when people ask me what my favorite show is, I say it has to be Oceana. My three annual shows all have something I love but Oceana has the jet noise, the big show feels, the camaraderie, the beach and squadron row. It is always a trip I look forward to and hope that the weather cooperates.
This year, NAS Oceana celebrated the 250th Anniversary of the United States Navy. There was an interesting opening performance but beyond that, it seemed to be the Oceana I know, which isn’t a bad thing but a less embellished celebration than I would have expected. So, let’s talk about that show.
The first aircraft to launch was a Shorts 330 with Skydive Suffolk aboard. There was no military drop team this year, but we can always depend on this local, rockin’ civilian team.
Navy Warbirds from the nearby Military Aviation Museum taxied down from their static display area at air show right and took off left to right.
A jet engine was started on the hot ramp to the left. This is not unusual because a Blue Angel media flight often occurs in the morning. It turned out to be the F-35C. Surely an engine run…until it taxied out to the runway. Morning light is the best light on Oceana’s parallel, tree lined, 05/23 runways as the F-35C thundered by.
The jumpers were the first to deploy while the other aircraft were in a hold box. Multiple jumpers flew with flags to include the POW/MIA and Gold Star. The American Flag was accompanied by the National Anthem sung by an enlisted Navy Petty Officer.
After the flag drop, the 4 Warbirds completed a flyby. The flight consisted of an AD-1 Sky Raider, an FM-2 Wildcat, an FG-1 Corsair and a TBM Avenger. After this pass right to left, the F-35C came in from behind the crowd in afterburner and pulled up into the vertical before all aircraft recovered, thus completing the Naval Aviation legacy from the 1940s to present day.
Greg Colyer flew his silver and yellow T-33, “Ace Maker III” looking great in the morning light. This is a good time to mention the work of the Air Boss where aircraft are launched into a hold, ready to enter the box as the previous performance ends.\
Warbird Thunder entered the box. These are two T-6/SNJs formerly of the Geico Skytypers. Flight Lead, Chris “CT” Thomas resides in Virginia Beach and is a high time civilian pilot. Mike “Buick” Eberhardt is a former Naval Aviator and F-14 Tomcat pilot.
Wingwalker Sam was next to perform with her husband, Mike Tryggvason flying the white Grumman “Show” Cat. She was once inspired at an air show to be a wingwalker.
The first of three aerobatic performances was by Australian and soon to be American Citizen, Aaron Deliu in his white Extra 330SC.
My favorite part of the NAS Oceana Air Show is the Fleet Airpower Demonstration. Carrier Air Wing 1 put together the scenario and participated with an E-2D Hawkeye from VAW-126 “Seahawks”, F/A-18Fs from VFA-11 “Red Rippers”, and F/A-18Es from VFA-81 “Sunliners” and VFA-143 “Pukin’ Dogs” for a total of 8 aircraft. An MH-60S from HSC-2 “Fleet Angels” out of Naval Station Norfolk entered the scenario later to insert ground forces.
Takeoff is a satisfying and visceral event as the 7 Super Hornets, nicknamed the “Rhino” blast off the runway to hold points. I walked to air show right on Saturday to capture different views. Only one aircraft executed a flex departure past my location.The scenario begins with a two-ship patrol encountering an enemy aircraft which is escorted out of the area. Another one-on-one encounter featured more maneuvering and some flare dispensing. An air refueling demonstration entered center stage between two Rhinos. The Hawkeye made a high-speed banana pass. The MH-60S flew in low and rope repelled a half dozen special operations personnel. Rhinos started multiple close air support runs with supporting pyrotechnics. A single Rhino flew a low-level Show of Force. The aircraft assembled for the Fleet Flyby. Led by the Hawkeye and with hooks down, all 7 aircraft passed in review. A 7th Rhino came afterward on a high-speed sneak pass. All aircraft recovered and then taxied back past the crowd. From takeoff to taxi back, this activity lasts about 25 minutes.
Before the jet noise dies down, the U.S. Coast Guard took to the skies in their C-130J. It flew a few passes and did a cargo drop at show center. On Saturday and Sunday, an MH-60 Jayhawk joined in the routine simulating a rescue lift.
The father and son team “Redline” performed a formation display in their homebuilt Vans RV-7s.
The F-35C launched for its solo display by VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” out of Naval Air Station Lemoore. Near the conclusion of the routine, the home based VFA-106 “Gladiators” Rhino Demonstration Team launched and followed by the second F-35C. All three aircraft teamed up for a few flybys making an all-jet Legacy Flight. Due to funding, the Navy discontinued the private warbird owners from the flight for the remainder of 2025. All-jet flights are cool too and easier to photograph. It looked good and the overhead break was excellent.
The Rhino Demo Team then proceeded with their demo as the F-35s recovered.
Kevin Coleman was the second aerobatic performer in his Red Bull Extra 300SHP.
The F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team from up the road and on the other side of that dreadful Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, performed and employed a lot of flares. They based the demo from in front of the crowd which made a lot of people happy. There is less of a demo when they base from their home base of Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
Michael Goulian was the final aerobatic performer in that last slot prior to the Blue Angels. He performed in his yellow PenFed Extra330SC and on one of the days had a race with the Smoke N Thunder Jet Truck with a wall of fire finish.
The Blue Angels C-130J support aircraft “Fat Albert” typically flies on the Friday and Saturday of a show weekend.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels closed the show. During my busy 2025 schedule, this was the first time I had seen them all season. Some seasons just happen that way. By this time of the day, the sun has moved to the left side and over the runway washing out any images in the western sky. The best photos are approaches from the east and from behind the crowd.
Beach Blast occurred Saturday evening along the oceanfront. It was a pleasant evening with a strong but comfortable breeze. Music was played from Neptune Park. Skydive Suffolk dropped in at dusk with some exciting approaches just past the Neptune statue to the beach landing zone. The F-35C Demo Team made a few flybys in afterburner followed by the Rhino Demo Team that did not flash them until well past the Neptune Statue. The Blue Angels made an appearance at the park to complete the evening program.
Sunday started out cloudy and breezy but still comfortable temperature wise. The only cancellation was the parachute jumps. Jet demos stayed underneath the cloud deck which shortened the Fleet Airpower Demo. The F-22 Raptor demo flew around a bit after the conclusion of the demo before finding some clear sky to climb into and drop copious amounts of flares.
I do have to say, an unfortunate thing happened to the crowd line at airshow left. A large video screen was just across the crowd line and the line had angled backward slightly as it squared off at the hot ramp. The video screen was for Airshow TV. I know who they are, and I like what they do but the screen was unfairly placed at a location that so many know and have known for years as a large public area with good views of the action. I watched the look on the faces of patrons setting up their chairs, forming a temporary void directly behind the screen until it got sufficiently crowded. With the tents and bleachers, there are not a lot of unobstructed views for the public. Surely this screen can be placed elsewhere for next year.
Notable static aircraft on the ramp, aside from some of the based color birds, included an EP-3 from Patuxent River, a tricked-out Gulfstream business jet and a chase Lear 35 from a local defense contractor.
I could not do what I do and enjoy this show as much as I do without the help of the Public Affairs Team of Katie Hewett, MC2 Noah Eidson and their staff. Thank you, All! Fly Navy and see you next September.
