Apparently someone who actually participated in a discussion rather than post show updates stated the organizers said it's for operational requirements. I get it. Training new pilots trumps traveling to and flying airshows by a longshot.
What's so important about this? You have to remember that the no photos rule still exists and that someone who does violate that rule would get investigated by NCIS. Over the years I've been invited onto several military bases during airshow week - Oceana being one of them - and my sponsor had emphasized no photos of the flight line unless he was told otherwise, and that also meant on DOD day until airshow related flying began. Like I said earlier I've been to Oceana many times over the last 40+ years and I can say with certainty that the overall setup has remained the same, especially of airshows since the last time they had F-14s at the base. That setup seemed to have worked in the past and I don't see why they won't use it again this year. That B-52 was probably parked near where it and other large USAF or USN aircraft have been parked in the past.
If they do stage from Langley then the question gets asked if the base was unable to provide the necessary support for keeping the F-22s at Oceana this weekend. Same for any F-35s.
Also, for the record, you guys should not be talking or speculating about current or upcoming deployments, detachments, or aircraft and military personnel movements in a public forum. You just never know who is reading these forums, and the old saying "loose lips sink ships" applies here.
