The Beaufort Airshow is an iconic event of the Lowcountry. Dollar for dollar, it may not be the biggest way that the Beaufort community benefits from its strong military presence, but it’s definitely one of the most fun.
This past weekend, the Airshow made a triumphant return to Beaufort after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With perfectly blue skies overhead, crowds estimated at over 100,000 people were able to watch the thrilling ariel routines of multiple different participating aircraft including F-35s from the nearby Marine Corps Air Station – Beaufort, biplanes which conducted historical “barnstorming”-style maneuvers, and stunt acrobatics from a variety of top-level performers. However, the best act was saved for last as the legendary Blue Angels took to the skies to close out the show.
It’s worth noting just how fortunate the Beaufort Airshow is to be able to host the world-renowned Blue Angels. Formed in 1946, as a Department of Defense initiative to raise awareness for aviation, the Blue Angels are the second-oldest ariel acrobatics group in the world. While they have performed around the world, they are usually an exclusive group and only regularly conduct shows at around 30 locations in the United States and Canada every year. The group consists of six Navy and one Marine Corps demonstration pilots who are selected through an intense competitive process from Active-Duty Naval and Marine aviators, representing some of the best officers and most skilled military pilots in the United States military. The current lineup of aviators also features the Blue Angel’s first female demonstration pilot. In addition to acrobatic performances, the Angels also have a strong tradition of combat service throughout their history, going back to 1950 when all members of that year’s team volunteered for combat duty in the Korean War. The second commanding officer of the Blue Angels was killed in action in 1951, just months before the Blue Angels were reformed as a demonstration flying unit. Half of today’s Blue Angels have flown in direct support of combat operations in Iraq or Afghanistan while every member of the team has conducted hundreds of landings on deployed aircraft carriers.
The sight of the Blue Angels and other incredible aircraft soaring in the skies overhead is another unique privilege that Beaufort resident can enjoy thanks to the area’s military installations and their partnerships with local communities. Indeed, without the area’s history of both Naval and Marine Corps aviation, it’s doubtful whether or not the Beaufort Airshow would have ever gotten off the ground in the first place. Today, MCAS-Beaufort is the perfect partner to provide support for the thrilling acts ariel acts and we look forward to keeping that partnership alive and well in Beaufort for many more years to come.
