Stellar Lineup Coming To San Francisco October 9-14

Fleet week organizers announced this week the US Navy's Blue Angels will be returning to the skies of San Francisco for the event's 28th annual appearance, October 9-14, 2008. The weeklong celebration is expected to attract an estimated one million spectators along the San Francisco waterfront.

The show will be bigger and better this year with the Canadian Snowbirds joining the Blue Angels. The Snowbirds' performance features nine jets showcasing remarkable tactical aviation. Their show is both thrilling and beautiful with more than 50 different formations.

Inaugurated in 1981, this popular annual event brings together US Navy, Marines Corps and Coast Guard forces for a week-long celebration in the water and skies -- highlighted by a two-day air show over the weekend. The weekend lineup will also include the US F-16 Viper West and Patriot jet demonstration teams and the United States Air Force's newest fighter aircraft, the F-22A Raptor, A-10 and the US Coast Guard Helicopter.

This year's lineup will also include two father and son pilots. Team Oracles' Sean Tucker (below), one of the country's finest civilian aerobatic pilots, will be performing... and he'll be joined by the "Collaborators" team, which includes his son Eric W. D. Tucker as well as Ben Freelove and Bill Stein.

The second father and son team is John Piggott, who will be flying a Sukhoi Su-29 known as the "Russian Sukhoi" immediately prior to his son, Capt. Russ Piggott of the Air Force F-16 Viper West Demo team. Joining the aerobatic show will be Geico's Tim Weber and Lucas Oil's Mike Wiskus who will both be making their first appearance at Fleet week.

A variety of family-oriented special events will be staged along the waterfront. The Marina Green will have an entertainment area featuring exhibits including one from Saab. Aquatic Park Fisherman's Wharf and PIER 39 will also have events and viewing areas.

FMI: www.fleetweek.us