U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors fly to Florida's Space Coast to headline Cocoa Beach Air Show
After swinging out over the Atlantic Ocean, the F-22 Raptor Demo Team circled and touched down at the military installation in advance of headlining this weekend's Cocoa Beach Air Show.
"Our demonstration aims to show the unique maneuvering capabilities of the F-22," U.S. Air Force Capt. Nick 'Laz' Le Tourneau said, standing alongside his military jet minutes after landing at Patrick.
"A lot of the airplanes can go fast. A lot of them can pull a lot of Gs. Not many of them can fly at such a high angle of attack, stop the jet in midair, and fly backwards — which is something else we'll do," Le Tourneau said.
May 2022 story: F-22 Raptors swoop into Patrick SFB to headline Space Coast International Air Show
The Cocoa Beach Air Show takes place Saturday and Sunday, boasting an Air Force-centric lineup in conjunction with the city of Cocoa Beach's 100th birthday festivities.
Centered at Lori Wilson Park off State Road A1A, the air show's "aerobatic box" prime viewing area stretches across two miles of sand from the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier to Minutemen Causeway, by Coconuts on the Beach.
The air show website is air.show/cocoabeach, and ticket packages are available for premium viewing spots at Lori Wilson Park. Otherwise, admission is free along the shoreline.
Le Tourneau is commander and pilot of the 14-member F-22 Raptor Demo Team, which is based at Joint Base Langley-Eustis near Hampton and Newport News, Virginia. Since joining the Air Force in 2018, he has racked up more than 750 flying hours in aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor, T-6 Texan and T-38 Talon.
As a teenager growing up in rural Minnesota, Le Tourneau was awed watching the F-22 Raptor Demo Team perform about 15 years ago at an air show in St. Cloud. The pilot that day was Maj. David 'Zeke' Skalicky.
"I've actually talked to him since, and it's really a full-circle moment. To start on one side of the fence, and now be on the other side of the fence — hopefully lighting that same spark that was lit in me all those years ago," Le Tourneau said.
Opening ceremonies kick off at 11 a.m. both days, featuring the national anthem and a U.S. flag jump by the RE/MAX Parachute Team.
Here's the scheduled sequence of aerobatic performers, which is subject to change and extends to about 2 p.m.:
U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler Legacy Flight Team.
U.S. Air Force Reserve 920th Rescue Wing combat search-and-rescue demonstration.
U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III Demo Team.
U.S. Air Force KC-135 Demo Team.
John Black, a Super Decathlon stunt pilot.
RE/MAX Parachute Team full jump.
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team.
U.S. Air Force heritage flight.
"Air shows inherently are patriotic in nature. So why not come out and watch the folks that are protecting your freedom every day?" said Chris Dirato, air show spokesperson.
"It's a little bit of everything for everybody. But of course, the Raptor is going to steal the show," Dirato said.
The Air Dot Show Tour announced the Cocoa Beach weekend event as part of its eight-city entertainment lineup this year. Cocoa Beach last hosted the event in April 2023, with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds headlining the bill.
Three years ago, the F-22 Raptor Demo Team headlined the May 2002 Space Coast International Air Show at Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville.
The National Weather Service warns heat index values this weekend at Cocoa Beach could climb to a sweltering 102 to 107 degrees.
"Make sure you hydrate. Make sure you lather up with sunscreen. And be aware of how you feel, because you don't want to overdo it," Dirato said.
Saturday's NWS forecast calls for a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. in Cocoa Beach, with an overall 40% chance of precipitation. Mostly sunny skies should dominate, with a high near 92 and an afternoon southeast breeze.
Showers and thunderstorms are likely after 11 a.m. Sunday, with a 60% chance of precipitation and a high temperature approaching 93 under mostly sunny skies.
Air show officials recommend that spectators bring beach chairs and umbrellas for shade.
"Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate," Dirato said.
More spectator tips from Air Dot Show Tour organizers:
Plan to arrive 45 minutes to an hour early to find parking along the Cocoa Beach shoreline.
Ear protection is recommended, especially for children under 5 who may be startled by loud aircraft.
Boat viewing is available along the eastern perimeter of a Coast Guard safety zone that extends 12,000 feet along the shoreline.
Capt. Joey "Bodhi" Stukey was born at Cape Canaveral Hospital, and he graduated from Satellite High in 2014. Now, the F-22 Raptor instructor pilot is back on the Space Coast as a member of the demonstration team.
"Grateful is the primary emotion," Stukey said, addressing media on a Patrick runway apron.
His father, Don, flew HC-130 Hercules transport planes during his 20-year Air Force career. Joey cited him as his chief inspiration to become a pilot.
During the air show, Joey Stukey will remain on the ground, serving as primary liaison between Le Tourneau and the demo team's "air boss." An Orlando television reporter asked Stukey what he was most excited about this weekend.
"I'll go to the beach. Yeah — 100%," he said, laughing.
For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly Space newsletter.
Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team here to headline Cocoa Beach Air Show
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