The Making of an Air Show Blue Angels headline event at Naval Air Station Jacksonville
U.S. Navy air shows involve many moving parts, which include planning and coordinating hundreds of tasks -- from those who schedule the performers to those who direct traffic and clean up after each day’s events. For the 2022 NAS Jax Air Show, scheduled for Oct. 22-23, a diverse team of professionals joined together with a shared vision to create what is expected to be two spectacular days of high-flying entertainment for hundreds of thousands of spectators. Oct. 21 is scheduled to be a dress rehearsal that is open to all active duty personnel, reservists, retirees and their families -- as well as school children from kindergarten through 12th grade. According to NAS Jax Public Affairs Officer Kaylee LaRocque, 5,000 school-aged children have historically attended the rehearsal air show. Senior leadership from NAS Jax, including air operations; Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR); and security departments among others have spent more than a year planning and preparing for the 2022 show. “A successful air show begins with cooperation and clear communication between all members of the air show committee,” said Cmdr. Aaron Robinson, NAS Jax operations officer and air show coordinator. “We have to trust each other to meet the deadlines of the very detailed plan.” This is Robinson’s first time as air show coordinator. “My actual experience planning and executing an event like this is very limited. Thankfully, we have numerous individuals from previous years’ events still attached to the command and the base. Their prior experience has been invaluable throughout this entire planning process.” Sponsorship plays an important role in the success of an air show. NAS Jacksonville’s MWR department is active from the beginning of the planning process to make sure the financial support is there to put together a successful air show. “In January of this year I started the process of soliciting sponsorship for the show,” said Morgan Kehnert, MWR marketing and sponsorship director. “In order to support the air show financially: to pay for the performers, the fuel for the jets, the kids zone attractions and all of the marketing materials needed to promote the show, sponsorship is crucial. The support from sponsors in the local community ensures a successful show.”
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