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Navy Blue Angels Headline Dayton Air Show

Courtesy U.S. Navy Blue Angels and Vectren Dayton Air Show
The popular U.S. Navy Blue Angels last performed in Dayton in 2014. A 2016 performance was canceled after a pilot died during a practice flight just weeks before the show.

The U.S. NavyBlue AngelsFlight Demonstration Squadron land in Dayton this weekend for the Vectren Dayton Air Show. The popular flight team last performed in the Gem City in 2014.

The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor demonstration team and the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team round out the headline performances.

"They can make that airplane do a somersault," says air show spokesman Roger Doctor. "I've never seen a demonstration where a jet literally flips itself around to go back the other way. You look at it and wonder 'how can that even be possible.' "

TheDayton Air Show is in its 44th year, drawing an estimated 70,000 people to the annual two-day event.

"We also have the 'Fastest Woman in the Air,' " says Doctor. "Vicky Benzing won the female section of the Reno Air Races, and we've not seen her before [in Dayton], so that's going to be exciting to see her tearing around."

Doctor says there's plenty to see on the ground, too. "Our static display this year [includes] over 50 aircraft on the ground, many that have never been here before."

The Blue Angels canceled a 2016 appearance after Pilot Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss crashed and died during a practice session in Tennessee just weeks before the Dayton event.

Kuss piloted Blue Angel No. 6 and was in his second year with the team, his first as a demonstration pilot. The U.S. Navy temporarily grounded the flying team after the incident.

The Vectren Dayton Air Show is June 23 - 24 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Senior Editor and reporter at WVXU with more than 20 years experience in public radio; formerly news and public affairs producer with WMUB. Would really like to meet your dog.