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topicnews · October 25, 2024

Blue Angels take off at the “Wings Over Houston” air show

Blue Angels take off at the “Wings Over Houston” air show

Well folks, this is it. The Blue Angels will headline the “Wings Over Houston” air show on Friday and Saturday before heading to the team’s home base, NAS Pensacola, in November.

The U.S. Navy flight demonstration team will conclude the 2024 air show season on November 2 and 3 at the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show with special guests the Air Force Thunderbirds.

But before the Blue Angels end their season, the team will wow audiences at a two-day show in Houston, performing alongside Tora! Torah! Torah! and several other military and civilian artists.

Here’s what you need to know about the Blue Angels’ show at Wings Over Houston this weekend.

When does the “Wings Over Houston” air show take place?

The Wings Over Houston air show runs Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., but there will be a limited tailgate show on Friday.

Wings Over Houston air show schedule

Gates for Friday’s show open at 2 p.m. and artists will perform between 3 and 6 p.m. However, the time may vary. So keep an eye out for last minute updates.

On Saturday and Sunday, gates open at 8:00 a.m. and artists start at 10:30 a.m. The entire show ends around 4:15 p.m. and the gates close at 5:00 p.m

When do the Blue Angels fly at Wings Over Houston?

The Blue Angels are currently scheduled to appear at Wings Over Houston on Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.

Can I still purchase Wings Over Houston tickets?

General admission tickets for Wings over Houston are still available, but almost all premium seats are sold out.

General admission is $50, but you can get them now at a discount by registering for free as an “Air Show Insider” on the event’s website. All you have to do is enter your email address and you will receive a 15% discount code.

How do I get to the Wings Over Houston air show?

Ellington Airport, where the show takes place, is just minutes south of downtown Houston. The easiest way is to take Interstate 45 south to the FM1959/Ellington Airport exit. Head east on FM1959 to the main airport entrance.

You can also take BW8 to the Highway 3 exit and drive south on Highway 3 to the northern entrance to Ellington Airport. Access the parking lot by taking Clear Lake City Boulevard east from I-45 and turning north on Highway 3 to the south entrance of Ellington Airport.

Is there a shuttle?

Yes! A free shuttle service is included in every ticket. Due to limited parking at the airport, trade fair organizers recommend using the shuttles.

The shuttles run continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The last shuttle to Ellington departs at 2:30 p.m. The shuttles cannot accommodate wagons, large strollers, or chairs that cannot be folded.

Shuttle pickup locations:

Who will be performing at the Wings Over Houston air show?

Here is a list of the Wings Over Houston cast:

  • Blue angels
  • USAF F-16 Viper Demo
  • C-17 Globemaster III
  • USAF KC-46A Pegasus
  • F-100 Super Sabre
  • B-25 Mitchell “Doolittle Raiders” edition from the Lone Star Flight Museum
  • TBM-3E Avenger
  • T-6 Texan – Lone Star Flight Museum
  • RE/MAX Skydive Team
  • US Coast Guard Air Force Base – Houston
  • US Air Force Heritage Flight-P51 and F-16 Viper
  • TORA! TORA! TORA!
  • Commemorative Air Force
  • John and Shane McGillis

Blue Angel 2024 pilots

#1 Commander. Alexander Armatas –Commander. Alexander P. Armatas is from Skaneateles, New York. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering.

#2 Lt. Cmdr. Jack Keilty – Lt. Cmdr. Jack Keilenty is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he attended Mount Saint Mary Catholic High School and graduated in 2005. He attended the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, where he lettered in football and earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 2010. After graduation, he was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy and transferred to the Naval Air Station for Aviation Preflight Indoctrination (API). Pensacola, Florida, reported.

#3 Lieutenant Wesley Perkins – Lt. James Wesley Perkins is a native of Pordenone, Italy, grew up in Georgetown, Texas, and graduated from Hutto High School in 2009. He attended Texas A&M University and graduated in 2014 with a degree in marine engineering. Perkins was commissioned as an ensign through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.

#4 Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Lee – Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Lee is from Mounds View, Minnesota. She graduated from Irondale High School in 2004, where she played soccer, ice hockey and swimming. While attending the University of Minnesota Duluth, Amanda enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) and was assigned to her first command, VFA-136 “Knighthawks.” She was selected as a pilot in the Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program in 2009. The following year, Lee attended the Naval Science Institute (NSI) for officer training in Newport, Rhode Island, while also beginning her studies at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where she received a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry.

#5 Lt. Cmdr. Griffin Stangel – Lt. Cmdr. Griffin Stangel is a native of Madison, Wisconsin, and graduated from Madison West High School in 2008. He attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota, graduating in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Air Traffic Control. Immediately after graduation, he reported to Newport, Rhode Island, where he received commission as an ensign in the United States Navy after completing Officer Candidate School.

#6 Cdr. Thomas Zimmerman –Commander. Thomas Zimmerman is from Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from St. Paul’s School in 2004 and studied soccer, wrestling and lacrosse. After graduating, he attended the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island for one year before attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He taught lacrosse at both schools and graduated from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering, earning his commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy in 2009.

#7 Lt. Connor O’Donnell (Teller) — Lt. Connor O’Donnell is a native of Freeport, Maine, and a 2011 graduate of Yarmouth High School. After high school, he attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in operations research.

#8 Lt. Cmdr. Brian Vaught – Lt. Cmdr. Brian Vaught is from Englewood, Colorado. He graduated from Cherry Creek High School in 2004, where he played lacrosse. After high school, he attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After graduating, Brian worked in professional sports marketing and advertising and eventually attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, where he received his commission as an ensign in the US Navy in 2011.

Fat Albert Pilots 2024

Senior C-130 “Fat Albert” pilot Maj. Josh Soltan — Maj. Joshua Soltan is from Spokane, Washington, where he graduated from Central Valley High School in 2006. In 2010, he graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation and a minor in Business Administration. In August 2010, he commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps through the Platoon Leaders Course program. He reported to the Officer Selection Office, 12th Recruiting District Seattle, Washington as an Assistant Officer Recruiter. In 2011, he transferred to Camp Barrett Elementary School, Quantico, Virginia to complete his training.

C-130 “Fat Albert” pilot Captain Isaac Becker — Isaac Van Zandt Becker is from Austin, Texas. As a student at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Isaac applied for the Platoon Leaders Course and attended Officer Candidate School in May 2016. After graduating from Colorado College with a degree in geology in May 2017, Isaac was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Marine Corps, where he then received orders to report to the Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Virginia. In March 2018, 2nd Lt. Becker completed his studies at the Fox Company, TBS.

C-130 “Fat Albert” pilot Captain Sam Petko — Captain Samuel Petko is from Osceola, Indiana. He graduated from Penn High School in 2009, where he wrestled and played rugby. After high school, he attended Indiana University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. In 2016, he received a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps through Officer Candidate School and reported to Basic School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

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