The Blue Angels are coming back to Naval Air Station Patuxent River this weekend—their first appearance here in eight years. It’s a major moment for the base, signaling a renewed push toward public engagement and community ties.
The 2026 Pax River Air Show runs Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21. Best part? It’s free and open to the public. Most air shows charge steep admission, but not this one. Gates open at 9 a.m., static displays start right away, and the flying begins at 11 a.m. both days.
The Main Events — Blue Angels and F-16 Viper Demo
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels take the spotlight at 3 p.m. each day, flying their signature F/A-18 Super Hornets under CAPT Adam Bryan’s command. The show is scheduled to conclude at 4:45 p.m. The last time they performed in St. Mary’s County was 2018, and before that they flew at Pax River in 2011. For one of the world’s most decorated demonstration teams, this homecoming has been a long time coming.
The U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team—piloted and commanded by Capt. Taylor “FEMA” Hiester—will showcase what the Air Force’s frontline fighter can do. The routine includes high-speed passes topping 600 mph, 9-plus-G turns that wrench your gut, inverted spins, and a dramatic 3-mile vertical climb completed in less than 10 seconds. This season, the F-16 Viper Demo Team is celebrating 250 years of America with a special red, white, and blue paint scheme.
A Lineup Worth the Trip
The civilian and warbird roster reads like a greatest-hits collection. Aerobatic ace Mike Goulian flies his Extra 330SC—a routine that reflects over 30 years of precision flying. RJ Gritter brings his Decathlon, and Greg Colyer pilots the T-33 Shooting Star, a bird historically called the “Ace Maker” for training generations of fighter pilots.
Warbird fans take note: Larry Kelley’s B-25 “Panchito” is a fully restored B-25J Mitchell that does double duty. It performs at air shows and actively trains naval test pilots through the Naval Test Pilot School’s curriculum. Scott Yoak and Jim Tobul round out the civilian side as the “Class of ’45” performers.
Why This Place Matters
NAS Patuxent River is one of the nation’s premier aviation research, testing, and evaluation centers. It sprawls across 14,500 acres where classified and unclassified aircraft development work happens every day. The base rarely opens its gates for public events—which makes this air show significant for reasons that go beyond the flying alone.
“The air show is more than an exhibition of aerial displays; it is a community-wide event for the Navy to invite the public to see and feel the air power firsthand on what goes on at Pax River on a regular basis,” said Jeff Sias, NAS Patuxent River Fleet and Family Readiness Director.
Commander Stephen Porter, Base Air Operations Officer and Air Show Coordinator, put it plainly: “Because it has been so long, one of the key objectives is to showcase what Pax River is all about.”
What You’ll See
Beyond the flying performances, there will be static displays, vendor areas, food service, and a dedicated children’s zone. VIP Flight Line Experience and preferred seating options are available as paid add-ons for those who want a better vantage point.
For planners: The Blue Angels and F-16 Viper Demo Team perform back-to-back weekends at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry the following weekend (June 27–28) as part of Maryland Fleet Week. It’s a rare regional double opportunity.
Show announcer Ric Peterson will guide spectators through both days. For business partnership inquiries, contact PaxRiver-AirShow-Marketing@us.navy.mil or Guillian Hunt at (804) 347-3889.
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