Exchange Club of Indian River proudly partners with the Vero Beach Air Show. Lt. John “Toby” Keith and Lt. Jaime “Eeyore” Moreno of the Tactical Demonstration Team from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 were the stars of the 2016 show. They burned up the skies over Indian River County flying their F/A-18 Hornets in the Blue Angels time slot. Pictured below are Eeyore, Toby, media volunteer Meg Dingee, and aerobatic superstar performer Rob Holland.
The Blues canceled their Vero Beach appearance and three other air shows following the death of their #6 colleague, Capt. Jeff Kuss, in a tragic accident in Smyrna, Tennessee, earlier in June. At the close of each day’s show the AeroShell Aerobatic Team flew the missing man formation to the sound of “Taps” as Mike Goulian drew the number 6 in the sky as a memorial to Capt. Kuss. The F/A-18 Hornets flew in the Blues’ slot with the number ‘6’ on the planes to memorialize the fallen Angel.
Thousands turned out to enjoy the show which featured an outstanding line-up of all-star performers. Special attractions included a free Family Fun Zone for the kids and an amazing array of civilian and military aircraft, including a C-17, A-10s, and nearly 30 other planes to see and explore. The show was held the weekend of June 25-26 at the Vero Beach Regional Airport on the grounds used by our brave men and women during World War II, when it was known as the US Naval Air Station at Vero Beach. Even a rainstorm didn’t discourage our faithful air show fans.
Vero Beach is proud to have been chosen one of only 36 sites nationwide and the only site in central Florida where the Blue Angels were scheduled to perform this year. Our deepest sympathy goes to the family, friends, and Blue Angel colleagues of Capt. Kuss.
Performers
Vero’s air show featured a stellar line-up of air show acts, including Rob Holland, Chris Darnell and the Shockwave jet truck, Mike Goulian, the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, Kyle Franklin/Dracula, Greg Shelton, Wing Walker Ashley Key, Misty Blues All-Woman Jump Team, Jacquie Warda, and John Black.
Exchangites
Members of Exchange Club of Indian River were an important part of the corps of volunteers who worked hard to make the show a success. Two members, David Walker and Jan J Binney, served on the board of directors, and nearly every member of the club participated as a volunteer and/or committee member. Here Jenny Frederick, Nancy Gollnick, Mark Dayton (Northeast St. Petersburg club), Marllyn Justice, and Dale Justice take a break on Sunday afternoon, and Joe Binney waits in his golf cart for his passenger.
In Case You Missed the Show
The 2016 Vero Beach Air Show was featured in newspapers, magazines, and websites and covered on radio and television. Watch WPTV NewsChannel 5 Meteorologist Tyler Mauldin’s (originally selected as the show’s Media Rider with Blue Angel #7 Lt. Tyler Davies) coverage of his ride with the AeroShell Aerobatic Team at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx-j_mDhlIA. CBS-12 reporter Cory Pippin reported Vero Beach Air show news at http://cbs12.com/news/local/vero-beach-air-show-to-honor-blue-angels-pilot.
2014 Vero Beach Air Show volunteers gathered for training sessions at the Sun Jet Center hangar.
