MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii — The excitement is back at Marine Corps Base Hawaii as they host one of the island’s largest and most popular events, the 2022 Kaneohe Bay Air Show and Open House, better known as “Blues on the Bay,” Aug. 13 and 14.
What You Need To Know
- The 2022 Kaneohe Bay Air Show and Open House takes place Aug. 13 and 14, featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels; main gate opens at 10 a.m. on both days
- Expect overhead and on-the-ground excitement, plus static displays, lots of food and beverage vendors, live music, a car show and kid’s STEM Zone
- The event is free, but VIP-Top Brass Chalet Tickets are available to anyone who wants to get the best seat in the house, complimentary food and other amenities; tickets are available on the event website
- Active and retired military service members, DoD civilian employees and their families are invited to Military and Family Appreciation Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 12
This free two-day event will exercise your neck muscles as the event’s headlining U.S. Navy Blue Angels enthralls audiences overhead with precision aerial acrobatics and spectacular flyovers. Who hasn’t looked at the Blue Angels soaring in formation across the sky and wanted to be an air force pilot one day? Though not everyone can be in the cockpit, there are opportunities to see them in flight ahead of the weekend.
According to 1st Lieutenant Mark McDonough, Communication Strategy and Operations, the Blue Angels arrived at MCAS Kaneohe Bay on Monday around noon and will be doing practice runs during the second half of the week with a final “Full Dress Rehearsal” on Friday before the weekend event.
“We’re not only welcoming back the Blue Angels, but we’re also welcoming the Air Force’s F-22 Demo and PACAF F-16 Demo teams,” said McDonough. “This means that the crowd is going to experience extreme maneuvers and displays of performance by three of the Joint Force’s fighter aircraft platforms.
“Another change coming to the show this year is the addition of the Joint Air-Ground Task Force demonstration, which will include service members from the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force, showcasing our ability to execute complex mission sets as an integrated team. Along with the military performances, we will have professional civilian performers from groups like Red Bull Air Force all the way to the Smoke-n-Thunder jet trucks.”
Stay tuned for Coast Guard Search & Rescue, “Fear BOSS” by Jon Melby, the Flying Leathernecks Parachute Team and the Museum of Flight’s “Ramp Rat” as well.
There will also be lots of static displays on the “flight line” ranging from military ground equipment to private aviation platforms, not to mention performances by the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band, and the Royal Hawaiian Band. A car show, plentiful food vendors and the kid’s STEM Zone round out the weekend’s offerings for all attendees.
McDonough’s favorite part of the air show is the Joint Air-Ground Task Force Demonstration. “It shows how well members from each branch can work together. If there’s one aspect of the air show that really defines today’s joint military force in Hawaii, it’s the JTF Demo. We work well together and we’re good at what we do.”
When asked how it feels to bring the air show back to the community, McDonough replied, “It feels great to bring the Kaneohe Bay Air Show back to Hawaii. Above Kaneohe Bay and all around the State of Hawaii, military personnel conduct training and operate military equipment on a daily basis.
“However, during this event, we are flying to provide a great experience for the local community to enjoy. Our appreciation for the people of Hawaii is best expressed by inviting them aboard their Marine Corps Base and showcasing the things we do best as a Joint Force. The Kaneohe Bay Air Show is Hawaii’s Air Show!”
Tickets are not required to attend the free event. The main gate will open at 10 a.m. on both days. A full list of performers and attractions is available on the Kaneohe Bay Air Show website.
VIP-Top Brass Chalet Tickets are available to anyone who wants to get the best seat in the house, complimentary food and other amenities. Tickets are available on the event website.
Active and retired military service members, DoD civilian employees and their families are invited to an exclusive preview of the event ahead of the crowds on Military and Family Appreciation Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 12. There will be a full dress rehearsal of all performances, plus food and beverage vendors, static displays and kid’s ATEM Zone. Just present your Common Access Card at the main gate for entry.
Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii.
