Team Has Mandated A Rest Period Every Two Months Following Fatal Accident

The Blue Angels recently announced they will not be performing at the NAS Patuxent River Air Expo Oct. 29 and 30.

The announcement came in a terse news release issued by the base. It says that following the mishap involving Blue Angel #6 in June of this year, Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific (CNAP) decided the team would need to take off one weekend every eight weeks during their air show season to combat fatigue.

The Air Expo falls on the eighth consecutive week of air shows for the team following their time off in late August.

No other cancellations are planned for the Blue Angels this year. Those who had wanted to see the team at Pax River will have an opportunity to see them in Baltimore at the Maryland Fleet Week and Air Show Baltimore Oct. 15 and 16.

NAS Patuxent River says it is currently evaluating the impact of the cancellation to Pax River Air Expo 2016 planning.

In a post on the base's Facebook page, CO Capt. Scott Starkey said that the show "is still on schedule for Oct. 29 and 30 with a great line-up. More details to follow."

(Image from file)

FMI: https://www.facebook.com/NASPaxRiver/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf