VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Captain Steve Djunaedi, Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, announced Tuesday morning that the Oceana Air Show will be making its return on September 16 and 17, 2023.
He says the theme will be "50 Years of Women in Naval Aviation," to celebrate and pay tribute to all Navy women trailblazers.
"Our theme this year pays tribute to the Navy's women trailblazers from "The First Six" to earn their Wings of Gold, to the exemplary leaders who have since chosen to serve their nation in the skies," says Capt. Djunaedi. "Our nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service."
The show's lineup this year will feature the Navy's flight demonstration teams like the Blue Angels, the F-35C II Lightning Demonstration Team, and the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team.
Captain Djunaedi was joined by Commander Melissa Moravan, Commanding Officer of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 56, the "Globemasters."
Moravan said, "A lot has changed thankfully in 50 years. Now, women can attain any rate or position in aviation if they are talented, motivated, and qualified."
VR-56's hangar will host a variety of STEM activities during the air show. In fact, adding to the 5,000 Virginia Beach City Public School 5th grade students they'll host, they're adding another 1,500 children from Chesapeake Public Schools. The students will take their field trip on Friday, September 15 to learn all about the air show and participate in special activities including the use of 3-D printers and robotics.
"The NAS Oceana Air Show is a way for us to inspire the next generation of leaders," said Capt. Djunaedi, "because you never know who will walk away from that special weekend, believing that they, too, can dream big and fly Navy!"
Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer was at the announcement and said the Resort City has a special relationship with those who fight to defend our freedoms.
"As a military community, Virginia Beach will always have a special kinship with those to defend our freedoms," Dyer said.
The 2022 Oceana Air Show drew more than 351,000 visitors which created a challenging time for drivers getting onto and off the base.
When asked about any potential change in traffic plans, the CO responded, "Anytime you have that huge event, it takes a lot of coordination with Virginia Beach and our Naval Air Station Oceana security forces. So, we learned lot from last year, and our number one top priority is the safety and efficiency of that traffic flow on and off the base. So, we’ll continue to learn from last year and continue to improve on that process."
The Oceana Air Show will remain free and open to the public.
There will be temporary road closures on London Bridge Rd. from Central Dr. to International Parkway due to the airshow.
TRAFFIC DETAILS
From Sept. 14 - 17, drivers will see an increased police presence starting at 2 p.m. on London Bridge Rd.
Traffic officers will slowly begin closing the road at 2:30 p.m. London Bridge Rd. will be fully closed from 3 p.n. - 4:30 p.m. Thursday to Sunday.
No traffic will be allowed on that section of London Bridge Rd. during these times for safety reasons.
This schedule is subject to change and could vary depending on operation needs.
Access to Gates 1 & 2
Take the Laskin Road exit toward Virginia Beach Boulevard to get to Gate 1.
Take the Lynnhaven/19A exit, head toward Holland Road, turn left. At Dam Neck, take a left to get to Gate 2.
If you’re coming from the Oceanfront on I-264 Westbound, take the First Colonial/21 exit to get to Gate 1.
Drivers should also be aware that there will be heavy traffic on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the following main roads:
Oceana Boulevard
Potters
First Colonial
London Bridge
Dam Neck
Advanced warning signs will be posted advising motorists of the alternate routes.
For more information on the airshow, click here.
