NAS Oceana Air Show draws a crowd of 340,000 to celebrate 250 years of America

The 2026 Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana Air Show welcomed 340,000 spectators Sept. 18th - 20th to experience thrilling flight demonstrations, cutting-edge static displays, and a celebration honoring 250 years of America.
 
The annual NAS Oceana Air Show is the Navy’s way of giving back to the community by sharing the very best of naval aviation. Free and open to the public, this year’s event drew families from across the country and around the world to witness the power of naval aviation and be inspired by the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of our service men and women.
 
“This year’s show was truly historic,” said Capt. Rob Littman, NAS Oceana’s commanding officer. “It gave us an incredible opportunity to honor our nation’s founding, celebrate 250 years of American resilience, highlight the strength of today’s military, and inspire the next generation to carry that legacy forward.”
 
The weekend featured action-packed aerial performances, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, and a signature Navy Air Power Demonstration highlighting the speed, precision, and tactical superiority of fleet aviation.
 
With support from the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM), Virginia Beach City Public Schools and Chesapeake Public Schools, NAS Oceana transformed the flight line into a massive “STEM Laboratory” on Friday, Sept. 18, welcoming over 8,500 fifth-grade students to explore more than 200 hands-on exhibits for their STEM Education Field Trip.
 
Students, teachers, and chaperones explored robotics, 3-D printing, underwater remote vehicles, science experiments, and demonstrations from local, regional, and national organizations, including Dominion Energy, NASA, Virginia Department of Transportation, Naval Expeditionary Combat Command, Virgina Beach Public Library, Old Dominion University, and Tidewater Community College. While Friday was reserved for Chesapeake and Virginia Beach public school students, the interactive STEM exhibits remained open for all to explore throughout the weekend.
 
The celebration continued Saturday night at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront with Beach Blast. Around 15,000 attendees filled 31st Street Park to enjoy a free concert by the U.S. Fleet Forces Band, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet and F-22 Raptor after burner flyover, a precision parachute demonstration by Skydive Suffolk, and a special introduction to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
 
The show’s success was made possible by over 1,000 volunteers, including personnel from local military units, NEXCOM, NEX Oceana, and municipal partners from the cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, and Portsmouth, Virginia.
 
“The NAS Oceana Air Show would not be possible without our community’s steadfast support and the hard work of hundreds of dedicated individuals,” said Greg Courrier, NAS Oceana Air Show director. “From our world-class performers to the volunteers and first responders behind the scenes, the air show is a unified effort to deliver a world-class experience.”
           
Emergency preparedness and public safety were also a joint effort. Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire and Emergency Services partnered with over 100 regional fire, EMS and healthcare personnel and more than 400 Navy Security Forces and local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel ensured a safe experience for all attendees.
 
For those who could not attend in person, the air show was livestreamed around the globe. In collaboration with NEXCOM and Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation, the two-day broadcast included cockpit footage, performer interviews, shout-outs, and vendor features. The livestream reached audiences in 81 countries, with over 597,849 total views and more than 24,000 hours of watch time.
 
The continued support from the local community makes free family-friendly events like the NAS Oceana Air Show and Beach Blast possible.
 
“On behalf of Team Oceana, thank you to our neighbors, partners, and guests from near and far for making this year’s air show an unforgettable success,” said Littman. “There is no better way to salute 250 years of American independence than celebrating with the incredible Hampton Roads community that helps make the NAS Oceana Air Show possible."

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