Local officials and friends of the aviation community were on hand to welcome US Navy Lieutenant Commander Michael Cheng, Blue Angel #8, and Lieutenant Ryan Chamberlain, Blue Angel #7, when they landed their F/A-18 Hornet at Vero Beach Municipal Airport  recently.

The two Angels, members of the advance team, were here to conduct a pre-show briefing for the appearance of the Blue Angels, the United States Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, who will headline the Second Annual Vero Beach Air Show, May 10-11, 2014. Vero Beach is one of only 34 sites nationwide and the only site in central and south Florida where they will perform next year. The Blue Angels have been flying since 1946 when Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the Chief of Naval Operations, ordered the team established.

In addition to the show, the Angels will visit schools, participate in community outreach, sign autographs, and meet with special needs children while they are here. The team will be accompanied by the team’s C-130 Hercules, affectionately known as “Fat Albert.” Fat Albert performs in the show and carries more than forty maintenance and support personnel and the specialized equipment required to produce the show.  Complete information about the Blue Angels can be found at http:// http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/.

The Blue Angels will join other star performers at the 2014 air show. Details about the show and all its performers will be available at the show’s website, http://veroairshow.com, in the months ahead.

Proceeds from the show benefit the Exchange Clubs of Indian River, Treasure Coast, and Vero Beach for the prevention of child abuse and the Veterans Council of Indian River County. Both the Vero Beach Air Show, Inc. and the Veterans Council are charitable 501(c) 3 organizations.