NAF El Centro Festival of Flight 2021 [Virtual Event Only]

Discussion relating to 2021 airshows/fly-ins/exercises/other events. Post news before the event and post your photos afterwards! Please create only one thread per event.
User avatar
n33d4sp33d_85
Posts: 17153
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:58 pm
Location: Fairfax, VA

NAF El Centro Festival of Flight 2021 [Virtual Event Only]

Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Mon Jun 08, 2020 11:45 pm

NAF El Centro Festival of Flight 2021 [Virtual Event Only]
March 13th
NAF El Centro, California

Featuring
US Navy Blue Angels
US Navy Leap Frogs
US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet Demo
USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II Demo
USMC AV-8B Harrier II Demo
USMC MV-22 Osprey Demo
John Collver - SNJ Texan "Wardog 17"
Tom "Lark" Larkin [Mini Jet Airshows] - SubSonex Jet
Last edited by n33d4sp33d_85 on Thu Mar 04, 2021 5:36 pm, edited 7 times in total.
0 x

User avatar
n33d4sp33d_85
Posts: 17153
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:58 pm
Location: Fairfax, VA

Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Sun Dec 06, 2020 11:57 pm

It appears that the El Centro Airshow dates had been switched from the 27th of March to the 13th of May. We shall wait for official information on the military demo team schedules this Tuesday.
0 x

Nick
Posts: 520
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2020 11:28 pm

Post by Nick » Mon Dec 07, 2020 9:37 pm

n33d4sp33d_85 wrote: Sun Dec 06, 2020 11:57 pm It appears that the El Centro Airshow dates had been switched from the 27th of March to the 13th of May. We shall wait for official information on the military demo team schedules this Tuesday.
Wouldn't still, count on airshows in California, our current situation is worsening, luckily the vaccine will ensure those who fear the virus or over-exaggerate it (fear mongers) if you will, that if they feel unconfrontable of attending an "In-person" event, they can just get the vaccine (you know how the process functions) and we can forward from there, though that's probably not the reality of the vaccine, the bottom line is you can only hope for the issue to improve soon.
0 x

Nick
Posts: 520
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2020 11:28 pm

Post by Nick » Tue Jan 05, 2021 9:31 pm

Heads up for any resident living in Imperial County, the new Blue Angels in their brand new Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets will be arriving at Naval Facility El Centro today for their Winter Training Sessions!
Last edited by Nick on Tue Jan 05, 2021 9:32 pm, edited 2 times in total.
0 x

User avatar
n33d4sp33d_85
Posts: 17153
Joined: Sat Jun 01, 2019 10:58 pm
Location: Fairfax, VA

Post by n33d4sp33d_85 » Wed Jan 06, 2021 5:21 am

The Blue Angels have arrived! :D
The Blue Angels have arrived to NAF El Centro, California for our first ever Winter Training in the F/A-18 Super Hornet!

#BlueAngels #USNavy #USMC
0 x

Nick
Posts: 520
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2020 11:28 pm

Post by Nick » Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:27 pm

There's still some hope for a public accessible event to occur at El Centro. Statement from January 7th, update Januray 8th. All fingers crossed for it.

Via: https://www.thedesertreview.com/news/th ... 51%20years.
On March 13, NAF El Centro is scheduled to hold its inaugural Festival of Flight, a retooling of the traditional airshow here to more prominently celebrate the relationship of the base with the Imperial Valley. The Blue Angels will continue to support this event as they have for the past 51 years.

“The installation is working hard to create an event that is accessible to the public, while managing the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our installation and to our fleet squadrons who train and operate from here. Our inaugural Festival of Flight will be a virtual event with many live military flight demonstration team performances; however, it will not accommodate a public gathering aboard the base as it has in the past,” said Captain William Perkins, NAF El Centro’s commanding officer.

“We have already begun conversations with many local agencies and governments in order to bring a meaningful event to our community,” Perkins said.

“I am happy to see that during these unprecedented times, while battling through a pandemic, the Navy is still carrying on a celebratory tradition that we as a community can still enjoy while serving as a reminder of why Imperial County is a great place to live. I realize that this event will be different than it has in the past, but these times require us to adjust our way of life. It's encouraging that we are still going to be afforded the opportunity to exhibit pride to our high flying acrobatic Military partners while paying tribute to the community that has embraced them for so many years,” said Tony Rouhotas, Imperial County Chief Executive Officer.

The mission of the Blue Angels is to showcase the pride and professionalism of the United States Navy and Marine Corps by inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country through flight demonstrations and community outreach.

The mission of NAF El Centro is to support the combat training and readiness of the Warfighter. This includes air operations support to US Navy operational fleet and training squadrons as well as squadrons from other US services and US allies.

- Captain William Perkins, NAF El Centro’s commanding officer
Last edited by Nick on Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
0 x

User avatar
Adam
Posts: 1051
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 11:04 am
Location: Kent, UK
Contact:

Post by Adam » Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:24 pm

Depends on how you define the word "accessible". They're clearly hoping it will be understandable and meaningful, which I suppose is one of the more obscure definitions of "accessible". But the statement is pretty clear that the public won't have literal, physical access, so it definitely won't be accessible in the more conventional sense.
Our inaugural Festival of Flight will be a virtual event with many live military flight demonstration team performances; however, it will not accommodate a public gathering aboard the base as it has in the past.
2 x
Freelance airshow media and videography (thisisflight.net)
Producer with PlanesTV
Airshow commentator

Nick
Posts: 520
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2020 11:28 pm

Post by Nick » Tue Jan 12, 2021 4:08 pm

Adam wrote: Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:24 pm Depends on how you define the word "accessible". They're clearly hoping it will be understandable and meaningful, which I suppose is one of the more obscure definitions of "accessible". But the statement is pretty clear that the public won't have literal, physical access, so it definitely won't be accessible in the more conventional sense.
Our inaugural Festival of Flight will be a virtual event with many live military flight demonstration team performances; however, it will not accommodate a public gathering aboard the base as it has in the past.
Ah thanks for that catch, though there is a good chance you can experience the airshow, that is the road at the end of the Runway 26L, that is a public accessible road, and what I define by "accessible", I define it by saying the road is open to anyone in general. Its the road that all photographers use when photographing the Blues during their Winter Training Sessions. The only con of that though is if the base decideds to block that road to avoid any small type of crowd/gathering, but glad their still putting on a show, though in a different and unfamiliar format.
0 x

charlesralston
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:14 am

Post by charlesralston » Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:18 am

Are the Blue Angels still doing their winter training sessions? If they are, do you know approximately which days they practice (is it M-F) and what times? I live in Phoenix and was going to make the drive to El Centro if they are and if it is easy to see and photograph them.

I would be grateful for any information you can provide.

Thank you,
Charles Ralston
0 x

EricP
Posts: 80
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2017 12:00 am
Location: Dayton, OH

Post by EricP » Wed Feb 10, 2021 1:06 pm

charlesralston wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 2:18 am Are the Blue Angels still doing their winter training sessions? If they are, do you know approximately which days they practice (is it M-F) and what times? I live in Phoenix and was going to make the drive to El Centro if they are and if it is easy to see and photograph them.

I would be grateful for any information you can provide.

Thank you,
Charles Ralston
They are. If you go to YouTube, check out MKBLUES1. He puts up their daily training videos. At this stage of training, they practice Mon-Sat with Sun off. Thurs and Sat practices are over the field practices whereas the other days are out at the range. I have always wanted to go, but the trek from Ohio to El Centro is a little further than yours!
1 x
Eric P.

Post Reply

Return to “2021 Airshows/Fly-Ins/Exercises/Events - Discussion and Photos”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 35 guests