The Blue Angels will be absent from this year’s Dayton Air Show. The fan favorites have decided not to perform at several air shows, including Dayton's, after last week’s tragic crash in Tennessee—losing one of their own—Marine Captain Jeff Kuss, also known as Blue Angel #6.
Roger Doctor is the Public Safety Director for the Dayton Air Show. He says the flying unit needs time before performing again.
“The Blues are such a tight knit group. I mean, they spend about three hundred days a year together eating, sleeping, what have you, that the tragic loss of one of their team members has put them in a position where, until they can be both mentally and physically strong, it is in the best interest to not fly," he said.
Air show officials were notified by the U.S. Navy that they would send a single F-18 to perform – that’s the same kind of plane flown by the Blue Angels but it will not be piloted by one.
The 42nd annual Vectren Dayton Air Show is June 18 and 19. It will feature more than 24 military aircraft displayed on the ground and other flying attractions.
