Latest news with #F-22RaptorDemoTeam
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors fly to Florida's Space Coast to headline Cocoa Beach Air Show
Distant low rumbling: While the national anthem played over Patrick Space Force Base loudspeakers at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 10, two U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth fighters started swooping back and forth to the north over Cocoa Beach and surrounding neighborhoods. 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 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 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@ 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
CBS News
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
U.S. Navy Blue Angels headline this weekend's 2025 Air Dot Show Fort Lauderdale
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will do what they do best as they headline the 2025 Air Dot Show Fort Lauderdale on May 3 and 4. The annual favorite for South Florida, formerly known as the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, features a combination of military and civilian pilots who put their skills to the test with daring aeronautical acrobatics. Other scheduled performances include the U.S. Airforce's F-22 Raptor Demo Team, Florida ANG F-15 Eagles, SOCOM Para-Commandos, NORAD Intercept Demo, P-51 Mustang and a U.S. Coast Guard SAR (Search and Rescue) Demo. The show kicks off around 11:45 a.m. and ends around 3:00 p.m. on both days. The show center is at Birch State Park. Road closure for the shows State Road A1A will be closed on Saturday and Sunday from north of the Sunrise Blvd intersection to 19th Street from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Sunrise/A1A intersection will remain open but due to traffic congestion in that area it is recommended you avoid it. According to organizers, those watching the show are not allowed to set up chairs on closed section of A1A. The Sunrise/A1A intersection will remain open but due to traffic congestion in that area, it is recommended you avoid it. While there are several ticket packages available for those who want a prime viewing location, there are free public locations north and south of the show center. What to bring A day at the beach requires a little planning. First, you will need beach chairs or something to sit on like a towel or blanket. Don't forget the sunscreen and you should probably wear a hat. Per city ordinances, there is no smoking on the beach. There are designated smoking areas along the A1A sidewalk. Also prohibited are pets on the beach, so leave the furries ones at home. While beach umbrellas are allowed, tents, pop-ups, and other structures (including baby tents) are prohibited. Parking If you are driving to the event, there parking lots, garages and metered spaces near the beach between SE 17 Street and Oakland Park Boulevard. The closest available large parking area is at the Galleria Mall on Sunrise Boulevard, about half a mile from the beach.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Air Power Over Hampton Roads returns with thrilling aerial performances and exhibits
HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — Air Power Over Hampton Roads returns to Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton this weekend. Taking place April 26-27, the air show will include performances from the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-22 Raptor Demo Team and the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight. The event will also feature additional thrilling aerial performances, static displays, interactive STEM exhibits, vendors and more. Click here to register for free on-base and off-base parking passes. Click here for the full schedule of events and FAQs about the show. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
