Two members of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team roared into Vero Beach last Monday morning to review the site in advance of the 2020 Vero Beach Air Show, scheduled for April 25 and 26 at Vero Beach Regional Airport.

Lt. Cmdr. Adam Kerrick and Lt. Julius Bratton landed No. 7, a two-person F/A-18 Hornet, and were greeted by a crowd of aerophiles eager to get a sneak peek at the Navy blue and gold Hornet aircraft.

The Blue Angels, who made their first air show appearance in 1946 in Jacksonville, Fla., and their first Vero Beach appearance in May 2014, are said to have wowed 500 million people nationwide over the years.

Kerrick said air shows help promote their mission, explaining that it gives them an opportunity “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.”

He added that they hope the shows also act as an inspiration for children to think about something bigger than themselves. Kerrick shared that as a youngster, he had attended an airshow with his grandfather, a World War II veteran.

“Air shows are great. That’s why I’m here today,” he said. “It’s all kind of symbiotic. To see the airplanes my grandfather saw when he was serving is pretty neat. It makes me feel like a kid again.”

Martin Zickert, the Vero Beach Air Show’s Blue Angels liaison, said the winter visit enabled the Blue Angels to walk through the facilities and discuss logistics and safety prior to the April show. A retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, Zickert confessed that pilots never really lose the love and the thrill of flying.

“I didn’t miss flying after retiring until they [the Blue Angels] showed up here for the first time,” admitted Zickert, an envious gleam in his eye as he admired the F/A-18 sitting on the tarmac.

The show will include performances, aircraft displays, an Air Show Food Fest event at Riverside Park, and the Blue Angels’ new C-130J transport, recently retired from the Royal Air Force to replace Fat Albert.

Proceeds from the Vero Beach Air Show benefit local veterans programs through the Veterans Council of Indian River County, and child abuse prevention programs through the Exchange Clubs of Indian River, Vero Beach and the Treasure Coast.

For tickets or volunteer information, visit veroairshow.com.