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Blue Angels wow at rain-shortened OC Air Show weekend

Fans enjoy aerial display on beach despite poor weather
Blue Angel No. 5 makes the signature sneak pass down the beach in Ocean City, Md., June 13. Rain forced the show to be cut short Friday and over the weekend. At least there was a lot of vapor to see on the fast jets when they did fly. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
June 18, 2025

The beach in Ocean City, Md., echoed with the sound of jet noise, even though bad weather kept things quieter on the weekend.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels headlined the annual OC Air Show for the first time since 2019. The Blues and other performers were able to practice June 12-13.

The team arrived at NASA’s Wallops Island Flight Facility in Virginia June 11, on a sunny, hot afternoon.

CDR Adam Bryan, Blue Angels commanding officer and pilot of jet No. 1, said he has been to Ocean City before, but not in a plane. This time, he said, had the best seat in the house.

“There are no obstacles, so you have a nice, clear vista in front,” Bryan said. “You’re going to see pure formation flying, which is kind of neat over water.”

Bryan, who is from Connecticut, said he always wanted to be a naval aviator and serve his country, but never dreamed of leading the Blue Angels.

“This was certainly humbling,” he said. “This was something you reach for, and for everybody here that has the opportunity, we cherish it every day.”

The Blue Angels demonstration squadron is made up of 160 officers and enlisted personnel.

The maintainers arrive first at an air show site, in the C-130 transport affectionately named “Fat Albert.” They get the ramp and equipment ready for the arrival of the Blue Angels, which are F/A-18 Super Hornets.

The air show is organized by Air.Show, which is running eight East Coast shows in 2025.

The 2026 OC Air Show is scheduled for June 12-13.

 

Commanding officer CDR Adam Bryan poses in front of his jet after arriving at NASA Wallops Island. The Connecticut native was flying over OC for the first time, although he said he had vacationed there in the past.
The Blue Angels’ C-130, affectionately named “Fat Albert,” taxis into parking at NASA Wallops Island, Va., June 11. “Fat Albert” is always first to arrive at an air show site because it brings in the maintainers and equipment needed for the F/A-18 Super Hornets.
The Blue Angels’ diamond formation makes a dramatic entrance at Wallops Island June 11. The team arrived from the home base at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida.
Some of the Blue Angels maintainers leave the C-130 and getting ready for the rest of the team’s arrival at NASA Wallops Island.
One of three Navy EA-18G Growlers from the Growler Demonstration Team as seen from one of the NASA hangars June 11.
A pair of Maryland Air National Guard A-10 Warthogs pass by the beach June 13. The planes, which are based in Baltimore, might have made their final Ocean City Air Show appearance because they are expected to be retired later this year.
This photo shows why the Blue Angels had to cut the show short June 13. A storm brought rain and low clouds to Ocean City. Bad weather forced organizers to cut short Saturday and Sunday’s performances.
This yacht named “Duchess” was anchored off the beach all weekend and served as the center point for the air show performers.

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Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Eagles, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.

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