Blue Angels stop by Myrtle Beach for pre-season Air Show planning

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WWAY) — Are you an aviation buff? If so, you have something to look forward to in the new year.

Come April, Myrtle Beach is hosting the area’s first air show in more than a decade.

The headliner is none other than the US Navy Blue Angels.

“The Blue Angels are, you know, the premiere jet team for the United States military,” JLC Airshow Management President John Cowan said. “So having them here will set the stage for the level of world class airshow we are planning to produce here in Myrtle Beach.”

The Wings Over Myrtle Beach air show is the first air show Myrtle Beach has hosted in years.

The Blue Angels perform in about 35 shows per year and they couldn’t be more thrilled to be starring in the area’s upcoming show.

“I’ll tell you it’s exciting for the team to be back,” Lt. Dave Steppe with the US Navy Blue Angels said. “We had the opportunity with an open date Myrtle Beach stepped up and the community came forward and that’s huge for us.”

As part of a winter site visit, two Blue Angels checked out the Myrtle Beach International Airport and met with local agencies to ensure the show goes on safely and efficiently.

For these pilots it’s more than just a show. It’s a reminder of what the Blue Angels stand for.

“There’s young men and women from all over the county out there serving,” Lt. Andre Webb with the US Navy Blue Angels said. “And actually from all over the world right? To defend our freedom and defend our rights and we kinda embody their spirit and just make the people hopefully back home think about what they’re doing out there on the front lines for us every single day.”

For some, a dream come true.

“I don’t think any of us ever thought we would be wearing a blue flight suit or in the Navy flying jets,” Steppe said. “And that was our, you know, a dream that’s now reality. So that’s what we’re here kind of to do. Inspire that culture of excellence, reach out to the community, reach out to the schools, get that 11 or 12 year old kid, you know, who doesn’t think he can leave here and all of a sudden boom he’s wearing a blue flight suit.”

The Wings Over Myrtle Beach Air Show is April 28 – 29, 2018 at the Myrtle Beach International Airport.

Tickets go on sale next Tuesday.

Organizers hope to make this an annual air show. They’ve already been working on plans for 2019.

Have you ever wanted to see the @BlueAngels?! If so, tune in at 6&7:30 on @WWAY to see where and when you can! pic.twitter.com/A3iU5HpX1b

— Kirsten Gutierrez (@KGutierrezTV) December 12, 2017