Murfreesboro Post
MURFREESBORO WEATHER

Navy Week brings seafaring experiences to area




The GEICO Skytypers make an ascent using smoke in this undated photo. The demonstration team is scheduled to participate in The Great Tennessee Air Show this weekend.SUBMITTED

The GEICO Skytypers make an ascent using smoke in this undated photo. The demonstration team is scheduled to participate in The Great Tennessee Air Show this weekend.SUBMITTED

Navy Week in Middle Tennessee is leading up to an appearance in Smyrna by the Blue Angels as one of many attractions at The Great Tennessee Air Show this weekend.

U.S. Navy personnel are visiting several Rutherford County sites this week as part of Navy Week, which began Monday and runs through Sunday, said Lt. Jacqui Maxwell, a public affairs officer and event planner for the Navy Office of Community Outreach in Millington.

This is the second Navy Week in Middle Tennessee since 2012, according to a Navy Week website. For information, go to outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Nashville.

Navy personnel have been visiting Murfreesboro sites in non-public appearances, Maxwell said. Those visits include two trips to the Tennessee State Veterans Home, plus a Boys Scout day camp at Barfield Crescent Park.

A Navy brass band will perform at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System – Alvin C. York Medical Center as well, Maxwell said.

This Friday, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., the U.S. Fleet Forces Brass Band is scheduled to hold a public performance at the Friday Night Live concert on Main Street.

Members of a U.S. Navy band perform in this undated photo. The U.S. Fleet Forces Brass Band is scheduled to play this week at the Friday Night Live concert on Main Street.U.S. NAVY

Members of a U.S. Navy band perform in this undated photo. The U.S. Fleet Forces Brass Band is scheduled to play this week at the Friday Night Live concert on Main Street.U.S. NAVY

Air Show

The local portion of Navy Week will culminate with the appearance of the Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, at the air show, Maxwell said.

The Navy will have other appearances at the show, including a booth showing naval history featuring Tennessee’s role in the Navy. There will be information on how the Navy works to improve the environment. Recruiters and local reservists will be present. And there will be a Navy virtual reality truck, nicknamed “The Nimitz,” with headsets allowing participants to carry out naval operations.

The Great Tennessee Air Show will be held at Smyrna Airport.

Representing the U.S. Air Force, the show will also feature the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, according to a press release. For the first time in Tennessee, Sean D. Tucker will be performing in Team Oracle’s Two Ship Act with Jesse Panzer of the U.S. Advanced Aerobatic Team.

The GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team, a vintage airshow performance squadron, will perform on both days of the show, according to a press release. The team’s six WWII-era aircraft will perform an 18-minute, precision-flying demonstration in which they “skytype” by creating giant messages in the sky.

 ————————————————————————————–

GREAT TENNESSEE AIR SHOW

When: Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9. Gates open for static displays, kids zone and exhibits at 8 a.m. each day and show will end around 4:30 p.m.

Where: Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport

Tickets: Sold only online. Go to greattennesseeairshow.com. One day passes – Adults ($35), children ages 4-12 ($20). No admission charge for children 3 or younger. Premium box seats ($55). Tickets will not be sold on-site during show days.

Parking: Free

Scheduled performers: U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Navy C-130 Fat Albert, U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team, U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight (F-16/P-51), Patty Wagstaff Airshows, Spirit of Detroit DC-3.

Leave a Reply